
Class _314C16 

Book >l2>5__ 

Copyright*!? 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



MINISTER'S MANUAL 
AND POCKET RITUAL 

"A Ready Help in Time of Need 
For the Sick-room, Funerals, etc. 

TOGETHER WITH 

Full Ritual for Marriage, Baptism 
The Lord's Supper, etc. 

BY 

REV. C. E. MANDEVILLE, i).D. 



CINCINNATI: JENNINGS & PYE 
NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS 



T'-'F LIBRARY ©F 

rjCNGRESS, 
Two <A»«M Hecbveo 

JAN. 29 1902 

GOPVRtQMT ENTRY 



)PM^. 



cILass ^ XXc No. 
copy a 



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COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY 
JENNINGS & PYE 



PREFACE. 

Among the furnishings of a minister of 
the Gospel to-day, a Manual and Ritual 
are indispensable. To be usable, it must 
be of such a size as can be easily carried 
in the pocket, and so arranged as to be a 
ready reference. He is often called to 
officiate at funerals where there is no con- 
venient Bible at hand ; in some cases it is 
too large, and in others, too small. Often 
the light is dim, and the print is poor. 
At the best, he can only use a few portions 
of the Word of God, and those that he 
would select are scattered through many 
of the books. This Manual has grouped 
together a variety of passages appropri- 
ate for all occasions, which the minister 
will find very convenient. 

The author and compiler has also added 
some annotations on familiar passages, 
which may be found useful in cases of 



4 Preface. 

emergency. Frequently the pastor is 
called to officiate without sufficient time 
for preparation, and he must needs use 
the material nearest at hand. The wide 
leaf -margins will be found convenient for 
notes. 

There are Manuals, not a few, of vari- 
ous sorts, in the market, and yet none of 
them, it seems to us, fully meets the de- 
mand of the hour. It is to supply this 
felt need that we have prepared the pres- 
ent vade-mecum. "We believe it combines 
all the excellencies of those extant, to- 
gether with many improvements which 
will be appreciated the more as it be- 
comes familiar by use. 



CONTENTS. 



part I. 




THE MANUAL. 




CHAPTER I. 


PAGE 


Ministering to the Sick, 


9 


CHAPTER II. 




Lessons from the Bible, - 


11 



CHAPTER III. 

The Funeral Service, - 25 

CHAPTER IV. 
Appropriate Scripture Lessons, - - 28 



Part II. 




THE RITUAL. 




CHAPTER I. 
Burial of the Dead, - 


_ 


CHAPTER II. 

Baptism, 

5 





81 



6 Contents. 




CHAPTER III. 


PAGE 


Reception of Members, - 


101 



CHAPTER IV. 
The Lord's Supper, 109 

CHAPTER Y. 

Matrimony, - - 121 

CHAPTER VI. 

Corner-Stone and Dedication, - 129 

CHAPTER VII. 

Form for the Dedication of a Church, - 137 



PAET 1. 

THE MANUAL. 



CHAPTER I. 

MINISTERING TO THE SICK. 

A good shepherd will care for his 
flock, sick or well, and especially in the 
hour of distress. To care for the sick is 
both an important and delicate part of a 
minister's calling. Our blessed Lord has 
set the example. He not only preached 
the gospel, but visited the sick and com- 
forted the sorrowing. And he makes the 
work twice blessed for us, as we not only 
receive the gratitude of those to whom 
we minister, but appreciation of Him in 
whose name we work. "I was sick and 
ye visited me;" "Inasmuch as ye have 
done it unto one of the least of these my 
brethren, ye have done it unto me." 

Whom shall we visit in time of sick- 
ness '{ While the preacher should be sent 
for, the same as a doctor is, yet this is 
often overlooked; and if the patient be- 
longs to our flock, the faithful pastor will 
;tlw;iys be welcome. If the patient is not 
a member of our flock, a call of inquiry is 
9 



10 The Manual. 

always appreciated ; and if our further 
service is wanted, it can easily be made 
known at the time. 

In entering the sick-room, a sense of 
propriety will indicate what method is 
best to pursue. Real sympathy for the 
suffering one and for the distressed family 
will go a long way to help in these deli- 
cate matters. A short chapter from the 
Word of God, followed by a brief prayer, 
will generally be sufficient. The call 
should not be prolonged, lest the patient 
be wearied. We have little sympathy 
with those doctors who interdict calls 
from the clergy, on the ground that the 
patient must be kept perfectly quiet. Xo 
doubt there are times when this course is 
necessary, but in the majority of cases a 
short religious service is as helpful as 
medicine. 

When the minister is called upon to 
visit the unsaved, or unbeliever, or possi. 
bly the avowed infidel, he is not expected 
to set forth any doctrine peculiar to his 
creed, but faithfully to urge the duty of 
repentance toward God and faith in the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 



CHAPTER II. 

LESSONS FROM THE BIBLE. 

The following passages of Scripture 
will be found convenient and appropriate 
for the sick-room : 

I. FOR THE COMFORT OF BELIEVERS. 
"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto 
death. And the prophet Isaiah the son 
of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, 
Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in 
order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 
Then he turned his face to the wall, and 
prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech 
thee, O Lord, remember now how I have 
walked before thee in truth and with a 
perfect heart, and have done that which 
is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah Avept 
sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah 
was gone out into the middle court, that 
the word of the Lord came to him, say- 
ing, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the cap- 
tain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the 
God of David thy father, I have heard 
11 



12 The Manual. 

thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, 
I will heal thee: on the third day thou 
shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 
And I will add unto thy days fifteen 
years; and I will deliver thee and this 
city out of the hand of the king of As- 
syria; and I will defend this city for mine 
own sake, and for my servant David's 
sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of 
figs. And they took and laid it on the 
boil, and he recovered." (2 Kings xx, 1-7.) 

"Wherefore, seeing we also are com- 
passed about with so great a cloud of wit- 
nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and 
the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is 
set before us, looking unto Jesus the 
author and finisher of our faith ; who for 
the joy that was set before him endured 
the cross, despising the shame, and is set 
down at the right hand of the throne of 
God. For consider him that endured such 
contradiction of sinners against himself, 
lest ye be wearied and faint in your 
minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto 
blood, striving against sin. And ye have 



The Manual. 13 

forgotten the exhortation which speaketh 
unto you as unto children, My son, despise 
not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor 
faint when thou art rebuked of him : For 
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and 
scourge th every son whom he receiveth. 
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with 
you as with sons; for what son is he whom 
the father chasteneth not? But if ye be 
without chastisement, whereof all are par- 
takers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our 
flesh which corrected us, and we gave 
them reverence : shall we not much rather 
be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, 
and live? For they verily for a few days 
chastened us after their own pleasure; 
but he for our profit, that we might be 
partakers of his holiness. Now no chas- 
tening for the present seemeth to be joy- 
ous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward 
it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of right- 
eousness unto them which are exercised 
thereby." (Heb xii, 1-11.) 

"Blessed is the man whom thou chas- 
fcenest, Lord, and teachest him out of 



14 The Manual. 

thy law; that thou mayest give him rest 
from the days of adversity, until the pit 
be digged for the wicked. For the Lord 
will not cast off his people, neither will 
he forsake his inheritance." (Fsa. xciv, 
12-14.) 

" Before I was afflicted I went astray : 
but now have I kept thy word." (Psa. 
cxix, 67.) 

"And I saw a new heaven and a new 
earth: for the first heaven and the first 
earth were passed away; and there was 
no more sea. And I John saw the holy 
city, new Jerusalem, coming down from 
God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 
adorned for her husband. And I heard a 
great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, 
the tabernacle of God is with men, and 
he will dwell with them, and they shall 
be his people, and God himself shall be 
with them, and be their God. And God 
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and there shall be no more death, neither 
sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be 
any more pain : for the former things are 



The Manual. 15 

passed away. And he that sat upon the 
throne said, Behold, I make all things 
new. And he said unto* me, Write : for 
these words are true and faithful. And 
he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha 
and Omega, the beginning and the end. 
I will give unto him that is athirst of the 
fountain of the water of life freely. lie 
that overcometh shall inherit all things; 
and I will be his God, and he shall be 
my son." (Rev. xxi, 1-7.) 

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great 
multitude, which no man could number, 
of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, 
and tongues, stood before the throne, and 
before the Lamb, clothed with white 
robes, and palms in their hands ; and cried 
with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our 
God which sitteth upon the throne, and 
unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood 
round about the throne, and about the 
elders and the four beasts, and fell before 
the throne on their faces, and worshiped 
God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, 
and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, 
and power, and might, be unto our God 



16 The Manual. 

for ever and ever. Amen. And one 
of the elders answered, saying unto me, 
What are these which are arrayed in 
white robes, and whence came they? 
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. 
And he said to me, These are they which 
came out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes, and made them white 
in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are 
they before the throne of God, and serve 
him day and night in his temple: and 
he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell 
among them. They shall hunger no more, 
neither thirst any more; neither shall the 
sun light on them, nor any heat. For the 
Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 
shall feed them, and shall lead them unto 
living fountains of waters: and God shall 
wipe away all tears from their eyes." 
(Rev. vii, 9-17.) 

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord and 
he shall sustain thee.' (Psa. lv, 22.) 

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye 
believe in God, believe also in me. In 
my Father's house are many mansions : if 



The Manual. 17 

it were not so, I would have told you. I 
go to prepare a place for you. And if I 
go and prepare a place for you, I will 
come again, and receive you unto myself ; 
that where I am, there ye may be also. 
And whither I go ye know, and the way 
ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, 
we know not whither thou goest; and 
how can we know the way? Jesus saith 
unto him, I am the way, the truth, and 
the life : no man cometh unto the Father, 
but by me. If ye had known me, ye 
should have known my Father also: 
and from henceforth ye know him, 
and have seen him. Philip saith unto 
him, Lord, show us the Father, and it 
sumceth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have 
I been so long time with you, and yet 
hast thou not known me, Philip? he that 
hath seen me hath seen the Father ; and 
how say est thou then, Show us the Fa- 
ther? Believest thou not that I am in 
the Father, and the Father in me? the 
words that I speak unto you I speak not 
of myself: but the Father that dwelleth 
in me, he doeth the works. Believe me 
that I am in the Father, and the Father 
2 



18 The Manual. 

in me: or else believe me for the very 
works' sake. Yerily, verily, I say unto 
you, He that belie veth on me, the works 
that I do shall he do also; and greater 
works than these shall he do; because I 
go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye 
shall ask in my name, that will I do, that 
the Father may be glorified in the Son. 
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I 
will do it." (John xiv, 1-14.) 

" But we have this treasure in earthen 
vessels, that the excellency of the power 
may be of God, and not of us. We are 
troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; 
we are perplexed, but not in despair : per- 
secuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but 
not destroyed ; always bearing about in 
the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 
that the life also of Jesus might be made 
manifest in our body. For we which live 
are always delivered unto death for Jesus' 
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be 
made manifest in our mortal flesh. So 
then death worketh in us, but life in you. 
"We having the same spirit of faith, accord- 
ing as it is written, I believed, and there- 



The Manual. 19 

fore have I spoken; we also believe, and 
therefore speak ; knowing that he which 
raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us 
also by Jesus, and shall present us with 
you. For all things are for your sakes, 
that the abundant grace might through 
the thanksgiving of many redound to the 
glory of God. For which cause we faint 
not : but though our outward man perish, 
yet the inward man is renewed day by 
day. For our light affliction, which is but 
for a moment, worketh for us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; 
while we look not at the things which 
are seen, but at the things which are not 
seen: for the things which are seen are 
temporal ; but the things which are not 
seen are eternal." (2 Cor. iv, 7-18.) 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall 
not want, lie maketh me to lie down in 
green pastures : he leadeth me beside the 
still waters. lie restoreth my soul: he 
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 
for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk 
through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art 



20 The Manual. 

with me ; thy rod and thy staff they com- 
fort me. Thou preparest a table before 
me in the presence of mine enemies : thou 
anointest my head with oil; my cup run- 
neth over. Surely goodness and mercy 
shall follow me all the days of my life : 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 
forever." (Ps. xxiii.) 

"For the Lord will not cast off for- 
ever: but though he cause grief, yet will 
he have compassion according to the mul- 
titude of his mercies. For he doth not 
afflict willingly, nor grieve the children 
of men." (Lam. iii, 31-33.) 

PASSAGES HELPFUL TO THE UNSAVED. 
" Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye 
to the waters, and he that hath no money ; 
come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy 
wine and milk without money and with- 
out price. Wherefore do ye spend money 
for that which is not bread? and your 
labor for that which satisfieth not? 
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye 
that which is good, and let your soul de- 
light itself in fatness. Incline your ear, 



The Manual. 21 

and come unto me: hear, and your soul 
shall live ; and I will make an everlasting 
covenant with you, even the sure mercies 
of David. Behold, I have given him for 
a witness to the people, a leader and com- 
mander to the people. Behold, thou shalt 
call a nation that thou knowest not, and 
nations that knew not thee shall run unto 
thee, because of the Lord thy God, and 
for the Holy one of Israel; for he hath 
glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he 
may be found, call ye upon him while he 
is near : let the wicked forsake his way, 
and the unrighteous man his thoughts: 
and let him return unto the Lord, and he 
will have mercy upon him; and to our 
God, for he will abundantly pardon. For 
my thoughts are not your thoughts, nei- 
ther are your ways my ways, saith the 
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than 
the earth, so are my ways higher than 
your ways, and my thoughts than your 
thoughts." (Isa. lv, 1-9.) 

" Therefore, O thou son of man, speaK 
unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, 
saying, If our transgressions and our sins 



22 The Manual. 

be upon us, and we pine away in them, 
how should we then live ? Say unto them, 
As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no 
pleasure in the death of the wicked; but 
that the wicked turn from his way and 
live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil 
ways; for why will ye die, O house of 
Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say 
unto the children of thy people, The right- 
eousness of the righteous shall not deliver 
him in the day of his transgression: as 
for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall 
not fall thereby in the day that he turn- 
eth from his wickedness ; neither shall the 
righteous be able to live for his righteous- 
ness in the day that he sinneth. When I 
shall say to the righteous, that he shall 
surely live; if he trust to his own right- 
eousness, and commit iniquity, all his 
righteousness shall not be remembered; 
but for his iniquity that he hath com- 
mitted, he shall die for it. Again, when 
I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely 
die ; if he turn from his sin, and do that 
which is lawful and right ; if the wicked 
restore the pledge, give again that he had 
robbed, walk in the statutes of life, with- 



The Manual. 23 

out committing iniquity; he shall surely 
live, he shall not die. None of his sins 
that he hath committed shall be men- 
tioned unto him : he hath done that which 
is lawful and right ; he shall surely live." 
(Ezek. xxxiii, 10-16.) 

" For God so loved the world that he 
gave his only begotten Son, that whoso- 
ever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life. For God sent 
not his Son into the world to condemn 
the world; but that the world through 
him might be saved. He that believeth 
on him is not condemned : but he that be- 
lieveth not is condemned already, because 
he hath not believed in the name of the 
only begotten Son of God. And this is 
the condemnation, that light is come into 
the world, and men loved darkness rather 
than light, because their deeds were evil. 
For every one that doeth evil hateth the 
light, neither cometh to the light, lest his 
deeds should be reproved. But he that 
doeth truth cometh to the light, that his 
deeds may be made manifest, that they 
are wrought in God." (John iii, 1(3-21.) 



24 The Manual. 

"Come unto me all ye that labor and 
are heavy laden and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me : 
for I am meek and lowly of heart: and 
ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt. 
xi, 28, 29.) 

" He that spared not his own Son, but 
delivered him up for us all, how shall he 
not with him also freely give us all 
things?" (Rom. viii, 32.) 

"And the Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth say, 
Come. And let him that is athirst come. 
And whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely." (Rev. xxii, 17.) 

" Him that cometh unto me I will in no 
wise cast out." (John vi, 37.) 

" Come now, and let us reason together, 
saith the Lord: though your sins be as 
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; 
though they be red like crimson, they 
shall be as wool." (Isa. i, 18.) 

" Look unto me and be ye saved, all 
the ends of the earth." (Isa. xlv 22.) 



CHAPTER III. 

THE FUNERAL SERVICE. 

In determining the length and char- 
acter of a funeral service several things 
must be taken into consideration : 

1. A service at the house is expected 
to be briefer and less formal, while one at 
the church is the reverse of this. In the 
country, funerals are more frequently held 
in the church, and a regular sermon is ex- 
pected. In the city, the rule is to hold 
the service at the house, except where 
some public man or prominent citizen is 
to be buried. 

2. In the city, if the cemetery is far 
from the home, the custom is becoming 
quite prevalent for the clergyman not to 
gd to the grave, in which case the burial 
service will be read at the house. 

."». When the service is held in the 
church, a brief prayer is usually made at 
tin '.house before the body is taken away. 

4. Any attempt at oratorical display or 
to work upon the feelings of the bereaved 
25 



26 The Manual. 

family is sadly out of place at a funeral. 
Also to eulogize the dead in words that 
are out of all harmony with the life is in- 
sincere and misleading. 

If we can not say anything good of the 
departed, we had better say nothing. It 
is always appropriate to speak to the liv- 
ing, and frequently we have some pres- 
ent who never attend the regular church 
service. 

5. A word of comfort to the friends 
and relatives before separation will be a 
benediction, and an early call on the af- 
flicted family will be gratefully received. 

THOUGHTS ON DEATH. 

Death is one of the most terrific facts 
in human experience. Originally it was 
not in God's plan any more than sin was. 
Death came by sin; so if there had been 
no sin there would have been no death. 
It is objected that, but for death, the 
earth could not hold the unnumbered and 
innumerable beings that have peopled the 
earth. True; but God had a way to re- 
lieve this congested condition, and that 
was by translation. 



The Manual. 27 

We may not always fear to die, but it 
is most natural for man to desire to live. 
We may say what we please about death 
being only a gateway to a better life be- 
yond, yet we shrink from passing through 
that portal. Paul speaks of death as the last 
"enemy" with which we will have to con- 
tend, and, however beautiful the preacher 
may paint death, he is an enemy still. He 
must be destroyed before the restitution 
of all things. 

It is a hard thing to put the bodies of 
our loved ones in the cold and dark grave, 
where, in the process of time, they will go 
back to dust. But since death is made a 
necessity by sin, is not this the very best 
disposition that can be made of them? 
Suppose after the spirit had left the body 
it were imperishable, what would be the 
result ? Who would then bury the dead 
out of his sight? Would not nearly every 
family have one or more bodies in his 
home, like Egyptian mummies, which he 
would carry about from place to place as 
he changed his residence? This would 
soon prove an intolerable burden. 



CHAPTER IV. 

APPROPRIATE SCRIPTURE 
LESSONS. 

THE PRAYER OF MOSES. 
(Used in opening the service.) 

"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling- 
place in all generations. Before the moun- 
tains were brought forth, or ever thou 
hadst formed the earth and the world, 
even from everlasting to everlasting, thou 
art God. Thou turnest man to destruc- 
tion; and sayest, Return, ye children of 
men. For a thousand years in thy sight 
are but as yesterday when it is past, and 
as a watch in the night. Thou earnest 
them away as with a flood ; they are as a 
sleep: in the morning they are like grass 
which groweth up. In the morning it 
flourisheth, and groweth up ; in the even- 
ing it is cut down, and withereth. For 
we are consumed by thine anger, and by 
thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast 
set our iniquities before thee, our secret 
28 



The Manual. 29 

sins in the light of thy countenance. For 
all our days are passed away in thy wrath : 
we spend our years as a tale that is told. 
The days of our years are threescore years 
and ten ; and if by reason of strength they 
be fourscore years, yet is their strength 
labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, 
and we fly away. Who knoweth the 
power of thine anger ? even according to 
thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to 
number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom. Return, O Lord, how 
long? and let it repent thee concerning 
thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy 
mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad 
all our days. Make us glad according to 
the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, 
and the years wherein we have seen evil. 
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, 
and thy glory unto their children. And 
let the beauty of the Lord our God be 
upon us: and establish thou the work of 
our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our 
hands establish thou it." (Psa. xc.) 



30 The Manual. 

ASSURANCE THAT IT IS WELL WITH 
THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD. 

"For we know that, if our earthly 
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, 
we have a building of God, a house not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring 
to be clothed upon with our house which 
is from heaven : if so be that being clothed 
we shall not be found naked. For we that 
are in this tabernacle do groan, being 
burdened: not for that we would be un- 
clothed, but clothed upon, that mortality 
might be swallowed up of life. Now he 
that hath wrought us for the selfsame 
thing is God, who also hath given unto us 
the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we 
we are always confident, knowing that, 
whilst we are at home in the body, we 
are absent from the Lord: (for we walk 
by faith, not by sight:) Ave are confident, 
I say, and willing rather to be absent from 
the body, and to be present with the Lord. 
Wherefore we labor, that, whether pres- 
ent or absent, we may be accepted of him." 
(2 Cor. v, 1-9.) 



The Manual. 31 

"For we know." There are some cer- 
tainties in religion as well as in science. 
It is certain that this tabernacle will be 
dissolved, and quite as certain that God 
will reconstruct it for permanent use. 

"A building of God." This mortal 
body was made of God, and without hav- 
ing in it the seeds of death; for death 
came by sin. Originally we were made 
for translation, of which Enoch and Elijah 
are types. At the resurrection we will 
receive the spiritual body, which will be 
eternal in the heavens. 

"For in this we groan." While waste 
and repair go on, we suffer pain till death 
tears the building down. 

w - Our house which is from heaven." We 
sigh for the heavenly, the imperishable. 

"Not that we would be unclothed." 
Every spirit, good or evil, longs for a 
body in which to dwell; but we get 
weary of the mortal, and desire to be 
swallowed up of life. 

" Wrought us for the selfsame thmg." 
God made ns for this very purpose, that 



32 The Manual. 

body and soul should live on forever as 
companions ; and he will not be thwarted 
in his plans. To assure us of this fact, he 
has given us the "earnest of his Spirit." 

"At home in the body." While we tab- 
ernacle in the flesh, in a sense we are ab- 
sent from the Lord. As Christ came from 
the Father, sojourned here below a few 
years, and then went back to the Father, 
so when the spirit goes back to God who 
gave it, it has reached home, in the im- 
mediate presence of God. Home at last, 
blessed thought! 

"Accepted of Him." But in whatever 
state we may be, we may be accepted of 
God; that is, have the testimony that 
Enoch had, that we please Him. 

WE SHOULD HAVE A COKRECT VIEW OF 
THE CONDITION OF THE DEAD. 

" But I would not have you to be ignor- 
ant, brethren, concerning them which are 
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others 
which have no hope. For if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, even so 
them also which sleep in Jesus will God 



The Manual. 33 

bring with him. For this we say unto 
you by the word of the Lord, that Ave 
which are alive and remain. unto the com- 
ing of the Lord shall not prevent them 
which are asleep. For the Lord himself 
shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and with 
the trump of God : and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first: then we which are alive 
and remain shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord 
in the air: and so shall we ever be with 
the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another 
with these words." (1 Thess. iv, 13-18.) 

Our thoughts concerning our departed 
friends will determine the kind of sorrow 
we have. We would be less than human 
if we had no anguish in such an hour as 
this. 

We do not weep for the dead, but for 
the living. 

Abraham wept over the loss of Sarah, 
Jacob wept over the loss of Rachel, and 
.Icsiis wept at the grave of Lazarus. 

But, unlike the heathen, we have hope 
of meeting our loved ones in the heavenly 
3 



34 The Manual. 

land. Hence, our sorrow is not born of 
despair ; for we know that all things work 
together for good unto them that love 
God. ^Neither is it begotten of unbelief. 
"For if we believe that Jesus died and 
rose again, even so them also which sleep 
in Jesus will God bring with him." 

Xote the order of the resurrection: 
The dead in Christ shall rise first ; then 
those that are alive will join them, and as- 
cend together to meet the Lord in the air. 

After this the wicked — those that have 
done evil — will be raised. 

"Comfort one another with these 
words."' What blessed words these are — 
and how many sorrowing hearts in all 
ages have they comforted ! 

ASSURANCE OF A GLORIOUS RESURREC- 
TION. 

"If in this life only we have hope in 
Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and 
become the firstfruits of them that slept. 
For since by man came death, by man 
came also the resurrection of the dead. 
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ 



The Manual. 35 

shall all be made alive. But every man 
in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; 
afterward they that are Christ's at his 
coming. Then cometh the end, when he 
shall have delivered up the kingdom to 
God, even the Father ; when he shall have 
put down all rule, and all authority and 
power. For he must reign, till he hath 
put all enemies under his feet. The 
last enemy that shall be destroyed is 
death. For he hath put all things under 
his feet. But when he saith, All things 
are put under him, it is manifest that he 
is excepted, which did put all things under 
him. And when all things shall be sub- 
dued unto him, then shall the Son also 
himself be subject unto him that put all 
things under him, that God may be all in 
all. Else what shall they do which are 
baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not 
at all? why are they then baptized for the 
dead? And why stand we in jeopardy 
every hour ? I protest by your rejoicing 
which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I 
die daily. If after the manner of men I 
have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what 
advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? 



36 The Manual. 

let us eat and drink ; for to-morrow we 
die. Be not deceived: evil communica- 
tions corrupt good manners. Awake to 
righteousness, and sin not ; for some have 
not the knowledge of God: I speak this 
to your shame. But some man will say, 
How are the dead raised up? and with 
what body do they come? Thou fool, 
that which thou sowest is not quickened, 
except it die : and that which thou sow- 
est, thou sowest not that body that shall 
be, but bare grain, it may chance of 
wheat, or of some other grain: but God 
giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, 
and to every seed his own body. All flesh 
is not the same flesh: but there is one 
kind of flesh of men, another flesh of 
beasts, another of fishes, and another of 
birds. There are also celestial bodies, 
and bodies terrestrial : but the glory of the 
celestial is one, and the glory of the ter- 
restial is another. There is one glory of 
the sun, another glory of the moon, and 
another glory of the stars ; for one star 
differeth from another star in glory. So 
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is 
sown in corruption, it is raised in incor- 



The Manual. 37 

ruption: it is sown in dishonor, it is 
raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, 
it is raised in power : it is sown a natural 
body, it is raised a spiritual body. There 
is a natural body, and there is a spiritual 
body. And so it is written, The first man 
Adam was made a living soul; the last 
Adam was made a quickening spirit. 
Howbeit that was not first which is spir- 
itual, but that which is natural; and af- 
terward that which is spiritual. The first 
man is of the earth, earthy: the second 
man is the Lord from heaven. As is the 
earthy, such are they also that are earthy : 
and as is the heavenly, such are they also 
that are heavenly. And as we have borne 
the image of the earthy, we shall also bear 
the image of the heavenly. Now this I 
say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot 
inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth 
corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, 
I show you a mystery; we shall not all 
Bleep, but we shall all be changed, in a 
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at 
the Last trump: for the trumpet shall 
sound, and the dead shall be raised incor- 
ruptible, and we shall be changed. For 



38 The Manual. 

this corruptible must put on incorruption, 
and this mortal must put on immortality. 
So when this corruptible shall put on in- 
corruption, and this mortal shall put on 
immortality, then shall be brought to pass 
the saying that is written, Death is swal- 
lowed up in victory. O death, where is 
thy sting \ O grave, where is thy vic- 
tory ? The sting of death is sin ; and the 
strength of sin is the law. But thanks 
be to God, which giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. There- 
fore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- 
fast, immovable, always abounding in the 
work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
that your labor is not in vain in the 
Lord/' (1 Cor. xv, 19-58.) 

"How are the dead raised up?" That 
is an easy question to ask, but a hard one 
to answer. Blessed be God, we know the 
fact as revealed in his Word. It is not 
unlike many other great facts in this pres- 
ent life with which we are familiar, but 
the how of which puzzles the profoundest 
philosopher. 

When St. Paul uses the illustration of 



The Manual. 39 

the seed, we find about as mucn mystery 
involved in the how of vegetable life itself 
from the death of the seed as we do in 
the resurrection of the body. 

We are assured of a mighty change * 
the corruptible gives way to the incor- 
ruptible, weakness is succeeded by power 
and the natural body by the spiritual. 
"As we have borne the image of the 
earthy, we shall also bear the image of 
the heavenly." When the mortal shall 
have put on immortality, then shall we 
shout the pean of victory over an empty 
tomb — 

•' Death, where is thy sting ? 
O Grave, where is thy victory ?" 

THE QUESTION OF THE AGES. 

" If a man die shall he live again? All 
the days of my appointed time will I wait 
till my change come. Thou shalt call, 
and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a 
desire to the work of thy hands." (Job 
xiv, 14, 15.) 

Disease fastens itself upon us; death 
touches us, and we are gone • the body is 



40 The Manual. 

prepared for burial ; the hour for service 
has come ; the minister speaks a few com- 
forting words ; the sorrowing ones gather 
about the casket to take the last look; 
the mortal remains are borne away to the 
cemetery, where awaits an open grave ; 
the coffin is lowered to its resting-place, 
and the clergyman says, " Earth to earth, 
ashes to ashes, dust to dust." But is that 
all? Thank God, it is not. The patri- 
arch Job looked forward to a change 
which would surely come. At God's call 
on the morning of the resurrection he 
would answer. And this confidence is 
based on the fact that u God will have a 
desire to the work of his hands." God 
will not have his work frustrated by any 
power in earth or hell. 

Death was not a part of the original 
plan; death came by sin. Had not sin 
entered the world, in all probability man, 
after a brief probationary period, would 
have been translated as were Enoch and 
Elijah. Now that death has entered into 
this present life, God has provided a glori- 
ous resurrection of the body in the life 
beyond. 



The Manual. 41 

" For I know- that my Redeemer liv- 
eth, and that he shall stand at the latter 
day upon the earth : and though after my 
skin worms destroy this body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see 
for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, 
and not another ; though my reins be con- 
sumed within me." (Job xix, 25-27.) 

Two blessed facts are here set forth : 
The first, that we shall see God in our 
flesh — not in the old body, but in the new. 
The second is, that our identity or person- 
ality will be preserved. We shall recog- 
nize ourselves, though the body has gone 
back to the dust. And if we know our- 
selves, we surely shall know our friends. 

THREE IMPORTANT LESSONS CONCERN- 
ING LIFE AND DEATH. 

First. That we must all die. — " What 
man is he that liveth and shall not see 
death ? Shall he deliver his soul from the 
hand of the grave 2" (Psa. lxxxix, 48.) 

However we may fight death, he will 
prevail sooner or later. The time of his 
coming no one can tell. " Thev that trust 



42 The Manual. 

in their wealth, and boast themselves in 
the multitude of their riches, none of them 
can in any wise redeem his brother, nor 
give to God a ransom for him, . . . that 
he should still live forever and not see 
corruption." (Psa. xlix, 6-9.) 

Skillful physicians try; professional 
nurses try; all that love can devise is 
tried ; but all in vain. Death is not only 
impartial, but very exacting. The wise 
man, the foolish person, the millionaire, 
and the poor man alike die. Only two, 
Enoch and Elijah, thus far, out of the un- 
counted millions of the earth's population, 
have leaped the river of death. 

Second. No man Jcnoweth the time of 
his death. — "As the fishes are taken in an 
evil net, and as the birds are caught in 
the snare ; so are the sons of men snared 
in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly 
upon them." (Eccl. ix, 12.) 

This is a wise provision God has made 
for the children of men. Did men know 
the time of their departure from this 
world, they would be tempted more than 
ever to postpone their preparation for the 



The Manual. 43 

next world until near the end of life. In- 
asmuch as they know not the hour, God 
means they shall always be ready. 

And someway death always comes 
suddenly. We are never quite ready to 
answer to his summons. Though the pa- 
tient linger with protracted illness, the 
end comes unexpectedly. Death is a fisher 
after the bodies of humanity, and throws 
out his net ; and though at first we do not 
feel that we are in the meshes of dis- 
ease, we are soon landed on the shores of 
eternity. 

" There is but a step between me 
and death." (1 Sam. xx, 3.) Could we 
but realize this, how careful every step 
would be! 

Third. The frailty of man. — "As for 
man, his days are as grass; as a flower of 
the field so he flourishes. For the wind 
paseeth over it, and it is gone, and the 
place thereof shall know it no more." 
i Psa. eiii, 15, 1(1) Our days are as grass 
and not as the sturdy oak. Not as the 
flinty rock, that can endure for ages, but 
fragile as a flower, which is swept away 



44 The Manual. 

by one breath of the wind. One touch of 
death, and all is over. 

" For I know that thou wilt bring me 
to death and to the house appointed for 
all living." (Job xxxiii, 23.) 

One of the most difficult things for one 
to realize is that he will soon die. We are 
not surprised that other people are called 
hence, but think ourselves exempt from 
the shafts of death. 

ON THE BREVITY OF LIFE. 

(See "For a Sudden Death.") 

"Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for 
thou knowest not what a day may bring 
forth." (Prov. xxvii, 1.) 

'T is vain to boast in the presence of 
death. If we can not tell what even a day 
will bring forth, much less can we look 
into the years of the future. "My days 
are swifter than a weaver's shuttle." (Job 
vii, 6.) 

Each day adds a thread to the web of 
life. "For what is your life ? It is even 
a vapor, that appeareth for a little time 
and then vanisheth away." (James iv, 14.) 



The Manual. 45 

FOR A SUDDEN DEATH. 

"Boast not thyself of to-morrow: for 
thou knowest not what a day may bring 
forth." (Prov. xxvii, 1.) 

" There is but a step between me and 
death." (1 Sam. xx, 3.) 

" Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to- 
morrow we will go into such a city, and 
continue there a year, and buy and sell, 
and get gain : whereas, ye know not what 
shall be on the morrow. For what is your 
life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth 
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord 
will, we shall live, and do this, or that." 
(James iv, 13-15.) 

" Man that is born of woman is of few 
days and full of trouble. He cometh forth 
like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth 
also as a shadow, and continueth not." 
(Jobxiv, 1-2.) 

"Behold, thou hast made my clays as a 
handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing 
before thee. Verily, every man at his best 
state is altogether vanity." (Psa. xxxix, 5. j 



46 The Manual. 

" I was dumb, I opened not my mouth : 
because thou didst it." (Psa. xxxix, 9.) 

"The Lord gave and the Lord hath 
taken away; blessed be the name of the 
Lord." (Job i, 21.) 

" Lord, make me to know mine end, and 
the measure of my days, what it is, that I 
may know how frail I am." (Psa. xxxix, 4.) 

" It is appointed unto men once to die, 
but after this the judgment." (Heb. ix, 

27.) 

" For we must all appear before the 
judgment seat of Christ; that every one 
may receive the things done in his body, 
according to that he hath done, whether 
it be good or bad." (2 Cor. v. 10.) 

" So then every one of us shall give ac- 
count of himself to God." (Kom. xiv, 12.) 

" Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : 
for whatsoever a man soweth that shall 
he also reap. For he that soweth to his 
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: 
but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of 
the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Gal. vi, 
7,8.) 



The Manual. 47 

"Marvel not at this: for the hour is 
coming, in the which all that are in the 
graves shall hear his voice, and shall come 
forth ; they that have done good, unto the 
resurrection of life; and they that have 
done evil, unto the resurrection of damna- 
tion." (John v, 28, 29.) 

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 
do it with all thy might : for there is no 
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wis- 
dom in the grave whither thou goest." 
(Eccl. ix, 10.) 

ON THE DEATH OF OLD PEOPLE. 

(For a fine exposition of the following chapter we 
refer the reader to Dr. Adam Clarke in loco.) 

"Remember now thy Creator in the 
days of thy youth, while the evil days 
come not, nor the years draw nigh, when 
thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them ; 
while the sun, or the light, or the moon, 
or the stars, be not darkened, nor the 
clouds return after the rain : in the day 
when the keepers of the house shall trem- 
ble, and the strong men shall bow them- 
selves, and the grinders cease because they 
are few, and those that look out of the 



48 The Manual. 

windows be darkened, and the doors shall 
be shut in the streets, when the sound of 
the grinding is low, and he shall rise up 
at the voice of the bird, and all the daugh- 
ters of music shall be brought low; also 
when they shall be afraid of that which 
is high, and fears shall be in the way, and 
the almond-tree shall flourish, and the 
grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire 
shall fail : because man goeth to his long 
home, and the mourners go about the 
streets : or ever the silver cord be loosed, 
or the golden bowl be broken, or the 
pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the 
wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall 
the dust return to the earth as it was: and 
the spirit shall return unto God who gave 
it." (Eccl. xii, 1-7.) 

" One dieth in his full strength, being 
wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are 
full of milk, and his bones are moistened 
with marrow. And another dieth in the 
bitterness of his soul, and never eateth 
with pleasure. They shall lie down alike 
in the dust, and the worms shall cover 
them." (Job xxi, 23-26.) 



The Manual. 49 

" The days of our years are threescore 
years and ten; and if by reason of 
strength they be fourscore years, yet is 
their strength labor and sorrow; for it 
is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psa. 
xc, 10.) 

"And all the days of Methuselah were 
nine hundred sixty and nine years: and 
he died." (Gen. v, 27.) 

In giving the genealogy of the patri- 
archs, each one is closed with the same 
words — "and he diedP 

" Our fathers, where are they ? and the 
prophets, do they live forever?" (Zech. 
i, 5.) 

" There is no man that hath power over 
the spirit to retain the spirit ; neither hath 
he power in the day of death : and there 
is no discharge in that war; neither shall 
wickedness deliver those that are given to 
it." (Eccl. viii, 8.) 

"Lord, make me to know mine end, 
and the measure of my days, what it is: 
that 1 may know how frail I am." (Psa. 
xxxix, 4.; 



50 The Manual. 

" Precious in the sight of the Lord is 
the death of his saints." (Psa. cxvi, 15.) 

Through the gates of death he brings 
his banished home. 

ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER. 

"And these are the days of the years of 
Abraham's life which he lived, a hundred 
threescore and fifteen years. Then Abra- 
ham gave up the ghost, and died in a good 
old age, an old man, and full of years : 
and was gathered to his people. And his 
sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the 
cave of Machpelah, in the held of Ephron 
the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is be- 
before Mamre ; the field which Abraham 
purchased of the sons of Heth : there was 
Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. And 
it came to pass after the death of Abra- 
ham, that God blessed his son Isaac ; and 
Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi." (Gen. 
xxv, 7-11.) 

"And Joseph fell upon his fathers face, 
and wept upon him, and kissed him. And 
Joseph commanded his servants the phy- 
sicians to embalm his father: and the 



The Manual. 51 

physicians embalmed Israel. And forty 
days were fulfilled for him; for so are 
fulfilled the days of those which are em- 
balmed : and the Egyptians mourned for 
him threescore and ten days. And when 
the days of his mourning were past, Jo- 
seph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, 
saying, If now I have found grace in your 
eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of 
Pharaoh, saying, My father made me 
swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave 
which I have digged for me in the land 
of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. 
Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, 
and bury my father, and I will come again. 
And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy 
father, according as he made thee swear. 
And Joseph went up to bury his father : 
and with him went up all the servants of 
Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all 
the elders of the land of Egypt, and all 
the house of Joseph, and his brethren, 
and his father's house : only their little 
ones, and their flocks, and their herds, 
they left in the land of Goshen. And 
there went up with him both chariots and 
horsemen : and it was a very great com- 



52 The Manual. 

pany. And they came to the threshing- 
floor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan; 
and there they mourned with a great and 
very sore lamentation: and he made a 
mourning for his father seven days. And 
when tlie inhabitants of the land, the Ca- 
naanites, saw the mourning in the floor 
of Atad, they said, This is a grievous 
mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore 
the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, 
which is beyond Jordan. And his sons 
did unto him according as he commanded 
them : for his sons carried him into the 
land of Canaan, and buried him in the 
cave of the field of Machpelah, which 
Abraham bought with the field for a pos- 
session of a burying-place of Ephron the 
I littite, before Mamre. -And Joseph re- 
turned into Egypt, lie, and his brethren, 
and all that went up with him to bury his 
father, after he had buried his father." 
(Gen. 1, 1-14.) 

In the death of these two worthy pa- 
triarchs we have much food for contem- 
plation. Abraham, the "friend of God," 
is one of the noblest and most heroic char- 



The Manual. 53 

acters in the Old Testament. He was 
sorely tried and thoroughly tested for our 
good, that we might see a man who could 
stand true in all the trying scenes of life. 
Paul says " he staggard not at the prom- 
ises of God through unbelief." Men of 
baser metal and weaker fiber are not only 
staggering through unbelief, but actually 
falling. How beautiful the expression, 
"gathered to his people!" Is not this 
more than a glimmer of light from beyond 
the grave? His people had gone before 
him, and now he crosses the river to join 
the company. 

The funeral of Jacob was more elabo- 
rate. He died in Egypt, was embalmed, 
and brought to Canaan for burial. What 
a journey! What a procession! In that 
march were all the house of Joseph, ex- 
cept the little ones, — all of his father's 
house, Joseph's brethren, elders, servants, 
etc. ; a great company, with chariots and 
horsemen. At last they reach their des- 
tination, and Jacob is buried in the field 
of Machpelah, with his father Abraham 
and mother Sarah. 



54 The Manual. 

ON THE DEATH OF A MOTHER. 

" I bowed down heavily as one that 
mourneth for his mother." (Psa. xxxv, 14.) 

The departure of a mother makes a 
great vacancy in the home. She is the 
center of a charmed circle, and when she 
is taken away by death, none can fill her 
place. Sometimes a large family of chil- 
dren are left, and the father is " bowed 
down with the weight of grief." 

" My tabernacle is spoiled and my cords 
are broken. My children are gone forth 
of me, and they are not. There is none to 
stretch forth my tent any more and to set 
up my curtains." (Jer. x, 20.) 

"And Sarah was a hundred and seven 
and twenty years old : these were the years 
of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in 
Kirjath-arba ; the same is Hebron in the 
land of Canaan: and Abraham came to 
mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. 
And Abraham stood up from before his 
dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, 
saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner 
with you : give me a possession of a bury- 



The Manual. 55 

ing-place with you, that I may bury my 
dead out of my sight. And the children 
of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto 
him, Hear us, my lord : thou art a mighty 
prince among us : in the choice of our sep- 
ulchers bury thy dead : none of us shall 
withhold from thee his sepulcher, but that 
thou mayest bury thy dead. And Abra- 
ham stood up, and bowed himself to the 
people of the land, even to the children of 
Heth. And he communed with them, say- 
ing, If it be your mind that I should bury 
my dead out of my sight, hear me, and 
entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 
that he may give me the cave of Machpe- 
lah, which he hath, which is in the end of 
his field ; for as much money as it is worth 
he shall give it me for a possession of a 
burying-place amongst you. And Ephron 
dwelt among the children of Heth: and 
Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in 
the audience of the children of Heth, even 
of all that went in at the gate of his city, 
saying, Nay, my lord, hear me: the field 
give I thee, and the cave that is therein, 
I give it thee; in the presence of the sons 
of my people give I it thee ; bury thy dead. 



56 The Manual. 

And Abraham bowed down himself be- 
fore the people of the land. And he spake 
unto Ephron in the audience of the people 
of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give 
it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee 
money for the field ; take it of me, and I 
will bury my dead there. And Ephron 
answered Abraham, saying unto him, My 
lord, hearken unto me : the land is worth 
four hundred shekels of silver; what is 
that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore 
thy dead. And Abraham hearkened unto 
Ephron ; and Abraham weighed to Ephron 
the silver, which he had named in the 
audience of the sons of Heth, four hun- 
dred shekels of silver, current money with 
the merchant. And after this, Abraham 
buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the 
field of Machpelah before Mamre: the 
same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. 
And the field, and the cave that is therein, 
were made sure unto Abraham for a pos- 
session of a burying-place by the sons of 
Heth." (Gen. xxiii, 1-20.) 

This is, indeed, a most interesting chap- 
ter, as it speaks of the purchase of the first 
plat of ground for a family burial-place 



The Manual. 57 

mentioned in the Bible. How many beau- 
tiful and pathetic touches there are in 
the account, which appeal to our sympa- 
thies, — Abraham seeking a place to bury 
his dead, even Sarah, who had made a 
long pilgrimage with him ! It is one thing 
to buy a home for the young wife, in which 
will center so many hopes, and where so 
much of domestic happiness is anticipated ; 
but it is quite another thing to purchase a 
sepulcher in which to bury your dead, and 
also one's fondest hopes. This spot be- 
came hallowed ground, as one after an- 
other of the patriarchal family was bur- 
ied — a shrine to which many weary feet 
journeyed. 

How noble the transaction between 
Abraham and the sons of Heth ! The lat- 
ter would gladly give, but Abraham in- 
sisted on paying for it. 

ON THE DEATH OF A BROTHER. 

"Then said Jesus unto them plainly, 
Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your 
sakes that I was not there, to the intent 
ye may believe; nevertheless let us go 
unto him. Then said Thomas, which is 



58 The Manual. 

called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, 
Let us also go, that we may die with him. 
Then when Jesus came, he found that he 
had lain in the grave four days already. 
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem^ 
about fifteen furlongs off; and many of 
the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to 
comfort them concerning their brother. 
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that 
Jesus was coming, went and met him: 
but Mary sat still in the house. Then 
said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou 
hadst been here, my brother had not 
died. But I know, that even now, what- 
soever thou wilt ask of God, God will 
give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy 
brother shall rise again. Martha saith 
unto him, I know that he shall rise again 
in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus 
said unto her, I am the resurrection, and 
the life : he that believeth in me, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live : and who- 
soever liveth and believeth in me shall 
never die. Believest thou this? She 
saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that 
thou art the Christ, the Son of God, 
which should come into the world. And 



The Manual. 59 

when she had so said, she went her way, 
and called Mary her sister secretly, say- 
ing, The Master is come, and calleth for 
thee. As soon as she heard that, she 
arose quickly, and came unto him. Now 
Jesus was not yet come into the town, 
but was in that place where Martha met 
him. The Jews then which were with 
her in the house, and comforted her, 
when they saw Mary, that she rose up 
hastily and went out, followed her, saying, 
She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 
Then when Mary was come where Jesus 
was, and saw him, she fell down at his 
feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst 
been here, my brother had not died. 
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, 
and the Jews also weeping which came 
with her, he groaned in the spirit, and 
was troubled, and said, Where have ye 
laid him? They say unto him, Lord 
come and see. Jesus wept. Then said 
the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 
And some of them said, Could not this 
man, which opened the eyes of the blind, 
have caused that even this man should 
not have died? Jesus therefore again 



60 The Manual. 

groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. 
It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. 
Martha, the sister of him that was dead, 
saith unto him, Lord, by this time he 
stinketh : for he hath been dead four 
days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not 
unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, 
thou shouldest see the glory of God? 
Then they took away the stone from the 
place where the dead was laid. And 
Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, 
I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 
And I knew that thou nearest me al- 
ways : but because of the people which 
stand by I said it, that they may believe 
that thou hast sent me. And when he 
had thus spoken, he cried with a loud 
voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that 
was dead came forth, bound hand and 
foot with graveclothes ; and his face was 
bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith 
unto them, Loose him, and let him go." 
(John xi, 14-4L) 

The sudden demise of Lazarus brought 
to that quiet home in Bethany deep sor- 
row, and took from the two sisters their 



The Manual. 61 

main support. In our shortsightedness 
we would naturally infer that, if either of 
the three must be taken, one of the sis- 
ters could be spared better than the 
brother; but God knoweth best. In their 
sore affliction they did what we all do 
in similar circumstances, — they sent for 
Jesus. What a blessed privilege to have 
near us at such a time the human-hearted 
Savior — one who has been touched with 
a feeling of our infirmities! 

Then Jesus came to Marsha and Mary 
to comfort them. How much we appre- 
ciate Christian sympathy in the hour of 
distress, and yet how poor and ineffectual 
are the words that fall from our lips as 
compared with the Divine voice that 
speaks to the troubled heart, "Peace, be 
still ! " 

How natural, too, for us to think that, 
had not something been omitted or if 
some other method had been adopted, the 
dead would be living! So Martha voiced 
the sentiment of humanity: "If thou 
hadst been here, my brother had not 
died." After we have done all we can for 
the preservation of lite, we must leave the 



62 The Manual. 

issue with God. How necessary, when 
the soul is being swept by a storm of 
sorrow, to hold steady by a firm faith! 
To this end Jesus endeavored to drive 
away unbelief: "Martha, if thou would- 
est believe, thou shouldest see the glory 
of God.'' 

Comfort was offered by some of the 
Jews, who injected a doubt in the minds 
of the sisters when they said, " Could not 
this man who opened the eyes of the 
blind have caused that even this man 
should not have died ? " Xo doubt he 
could, but in his infinite wisdom he 
thought it best for the glory of God that 
Lazarus should die. He seeth the end 
from the beginning ; we can not tell what 
a day may bring forth. 

ON THE DEATH OF A SISTER. 

"And Miriam died there [Kadesh], and 
was buried there." (Xum. xx, 1,) 

In Amram's family there were three 
children — Aaron, Moses, and their sister, 
Miriam. Though little is said in the Scrip- 
tures of her life work, as compared with 
her two illustrious brothers, vet the no- 



The Manual. 63 

ble work she performed was by no means 
inconsiderable. She was to her brothers 
what Dora Wordsworth was to her 
brother, the poet; what Mary Lamb was 
to her brother, Charles, and what Caro- 
line Herschel was to her brother, the 
astronomer. But for the helpful lives of 
these sisters the brothers could not have 
achieved whati they did in the world of 
letters and science. So Miriam was indis- 
pensable to the great work to which God 
had called Aaron and Moses. She, like 
many an elder sister, looked after the 
welfare of the younger children. What 
an important part she played in the pres- 
ervation of the child Moses! When the 
infant had been placed in the little ark, 
and the boat with its precious treasure, 
was afloat amid the flags of the river, his 
sister stood "afar off to witness what 
should be done to him." It was by her 
strategy that the child was placed in the 
care of its own mother. 

From the words of Micah, we should 
judge that Miriam was constituted joint 
Leader with Moses and Aaron, as the 
prophet says, " For I have brought thee 



64 The Manual. 

up out of the land of Egypt, and sent be- 
fore thee Moses, Aaron and Miriam." 
She led the women as her brothers led 
the men. 

After the passage of the Keel Sea, Mo- 
ses led Israel in the triumphal song, giv- 
ing God the glory for their wonderful 
deliverance; and then Miriam, the proph- 
etess, led a chorus of women, who sounded 

" The loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea ; 
Jehovah has triumphed, his people are free." 

The eldest sister in many a family has 
stood next to the mother in godly influ- 
ence and service. 

ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD. NO. 1. 

" A voice was heard in Kamah, lamen- 
tation and bitter weeping ; Eachel weep- 
ing for her children refused to be com- 
forted for her children, because they were 
not." (Jer. xxxi, 15.) 

That voice of lament has been heard 
in the land from the earliest dawn of hu- 
man history, and will be heard till the 
last chapter is written. The Kachels, be- 
reft of their children, are everywhere 



The Manual. 65 

found; and they will not be comforted, 
though they may be resigned to the will 
of God. 

The loss of a child by death may be 
the first great sorrow that has come into 
the home, and it is indeed bitter. 

"David therefore besought God for 
the child ; and David fasted, and went in> 
and lay all night upon the earth. And 
the elders of his house arose, and went to 
him, to raise him up from the earth : but 
he would not, neither did he eat bread 
with them. And it came to pass on the 
seventh day, that the child died. And 
the servants of David feared to tell him 
that the child was dead : for they said, 
Behold, while the child was yet alive, we 
spake unto him, and he would not hearken 
unto our voice: how will he then vex 
himself, if we tell him that the child is 
dead 2 But when David saw that his serv- 
ants whispered, David perceived that the 
child was dead: therefore David said 
unto his servants, Is the child dead? And 
they said, 1 1<3 is dead. Then David arose 
from the earth, and washed, and anointed 
himself, and changed his apparel, and 
5 



66 The Manual. 

came into the house of the Lord, and wor- 
shiped: then he came to his own house; 
and when he required, they set bread be- 
fore him, and he did eat. Then said his 
servants unto him, What thing is this 
that thou hast done? thou didst fast and 
weep for the child, while it was alive; 
but when the child was dead, thou didst 
rise and eat bread. And he said, While 
the child was yet alive, I fasted and 
wept: for I said, Who can tell whether 
God will be gracious to me, that the 
child may live? But now he is dead, 
wherefore should I fast? can I bring him 
back again? I shall go to him, but he 
shall not return to me." (2 Sam. xii, 16- 
23.) 

David sought God for help by fasting 
and prayer. He lay all night upon the 
earth, which indicated the anguish of his 
soul. 'T is well to go to Him in prayer, 
but in that spirit of submission which 
says, "Thy will, not mine, be done." 

The child died on the seventh day, 
and the elders of the house feared to tell 
the king that the child was dead, lest his 
grief be intensified. But David soon un- 



The Manual. 67 

derstoocl the worst had come, and at 
once " arose from the earth, and washed, 
and anointed himself, and changed his 
apparel, and came into the house of the 
Lord, and worshiped." This was a sur- 
prise to his servants. How a father could 
fast while his child was sick, and eat 
when he was dead, they could not under- 
stand. 

The psalmist, however, comprehended 
the true philosophy of God's providential 
dealings. While there was life in the 
child, he would pray for recovery; but 
when death had finished his work, then 
he would submit likewise to the will of 
God. Nothing further could be done. 

What comfort there is in a sublime 
faith in a life beyond the grave! "I shall 
go to him, but he shall not return to me." 
Blessed reunion! 

ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD. NO. 2. 

"And when the child was grown, it 
fell on a day, that he went out to his 
lather to the reapers. And he said unto his 
father, My head, my head! And he said 
to a lad, (/any him to his mother. And 



68 The Manual. 

when he had taken him, and brought him 
to his mother, he sat on her knees till 
noon, and then died. And she went up 
and laid him on the bed of the man of 
God, and shut the door upon him, and went 
out. And she called unto her husband, 
and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of 
the young men, and one of the asses, that 
I may run to the man of God, and come 
again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou 
go to him to-day? it is neither new moon, 
nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be 
well. Then she saddled an ass, and said 
to her servant, Drive, and go forward; 
slack not thy riding for me, except I bid 
thee. So she went and came unto the 
man of God to Mount Carmel. And it 
came to pass, when the man of God saw 
her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his 
servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunam- 
mite : run now, I pray thee, to meet her, 
and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is 
it well with thy husband? is it well with 
the child ? And she answered, It is well." 
(2 Kings iv, 18-26.) 

There are several beautiful thoughts 
in this incident that can be considered 



The Manual. 69 

with profit. It looks like a case of sun- 
stroke. He was with his father in the 
harvest-field. The lad was taken to his 
mother. Not only mother's arms but 
mothers heart will take him in. "No bet- 
ter place for a child to die than on moth- 
er's knees. 

At once she thought of Elisha, the 
prophet, and in great haste seeks help of 
him. A sublime faith comes to her re- 
lief; for when the servant of the prophet 
asks her, "Is it well with thee? Is it' well 
with thy husband? Is it well with the 
child ?" she replies, "It is well" And yet 
she had left at home a sorrowing husband 
and a dead child, while her own heart 
was about to break. She believed the 
prophet could bring the child back to 
life. 

" She saw the triumph from afar; 
By faith she brought it nigh." 

She answered as if the work was com- 
plete, " It is well." 

All is well with the people of God, 
whether living or dying. While we are 
rooted and grounded in the glorious doc- 
trine of the resurrection, we can look 



70 The Manual. 

death calmly in the face and say, " It 
is well ;" for only a little while and the 
earth and the sea shall give up their dead, 
and the dear children will be restored to 
the arms of their mothers, never more to 
be separated. 

" I was dumb. I opened not my mouth : 
because thou didst it." (Psa. xxxix, 9.) 

What God does is in infinite wisdom, 
and we will not complain. " Though he 
slay me, yet will I trust in him." 

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath 
taken away; blessed be the name of the 
Lord." (Jobi, 21.) 

* In the taking away of our loved ones 
we often lose sight of the giving. If we 
can remember all his mercies, we will be 
led to say, " Blessed be the name of the 
Lord." 

"And they brought young children to 
him, that he should touch them; and his 
disciples rebuked those that brought 
them.. But when Jesus saw it, he was 
much displeased, and said unto them, Suf- 
fer the little children to come unto me, 
and forbid them not; for of such is the 



The Manual. 71 

kingdom of God. Yerily 1 say unto you, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom 
of God as a little child, he shall not enter 
therein. And he took them up in his arms, 
put his hands upon them, and blessed 
them." (Mark x, 13-16.) 

" Take heed that ye despise not one of 
these little ones ; for I say unto you, That 
in heaven their angels do always behold 
the face of my Father which is in heaven. 
For the Son of man is come to save that 
which was lost. How think ye ? if a man 
have a hundred sheep, and one of them be 
gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety 
and nine, and goeth into the mountains, 
and seeketh that which is gone astray? 
And if so be that he find it, verily I say 
unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, 
than of the ninety and nine which went 
not astray. Even so it is not the will of 
your Father which is in heaven, that one 
of these little ones should perish." (Matt. 
xviii, 10-14.) 

Note the child's place in Christianity. 
Not so in pagan religions; no place for 
children there. Heathen mythology does 



72 The Manual. 

not recognize them. Christianity begins 
with the birth of the Christ-child; and 
when Christ is teaching, he includes the lit- 
tle ones — yea, takes them in his arms and 
blesses them. Heaven is being filled with 
children. Even as the Alpine shepherds 
often carry the lambs to higher altitudes 
that the sheep may follow, so the great 
Shepherd and Bishop of souls often takes 
the little ones to the upper fold, that the 
parents may follow. 

MISCELLANEOUS PASSAGES FOR VARI- 
OUS OCCASIONS. 

"The sting of death is sin; and the 
strength of sin is the law. But thanks 
be unto God, which giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 
xv, 56, 57.) 

The following is a brief though com- 
prehensive outline of a sermon on the 
above text, by Kev. F. W. Kobertson : 

I. Death is a terrible event in human 
history. 

1. It appears to be non-existence. 

2. It is leaving the known for the un- 
known. 

3. It has a sting, which is sin. 



The Manual. 73 

II. The strength of sin is the law. 
"Thou shalt not." Had not known sin 
but for the law. 

III. Victory through Jesus Christ 

1. Not through infidelity. 

2. Not through stoicism. 

3. Not through animal courage. 

This victory will be complete only at 
the resurrection. 

" Her sun is gone down while it is 
yet day." (Jer. xv, 9.) 

The following outline will be helpful, 
which the writer gives from memory. He 
does not recall the author : 

Deborah says (Judges v, 31), " Let them 
that love thee be as the sun when he goeth 
forth in his might." 

I. The Sun — its beauty and glory. 
Do n't wonder that it has been worshiped. 

But greater still the beauty of a con- 
sistent character. Moses prayed, " Let the 
beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." 

The sun is the source of life and light. 
Nothing can live without his rays. 

Christians are called the "light of the 
world." They are the light in the home, 
the Church, and the community. 



74 The Manual. 

II. Every sun hath a rising and a set- 
ting. 

He cometh forth and "rejoiceth as a 
strong man to run a race." But when the 
sun has made his run across the heavens, 
there is a setting. We can tell the time 
when the sun will go down, but can not 
tell when human life will close. Some 
have a long life, and a protracted twi- 
light ; while others, such as infants, pass 
away soon after rising. Others still reach 
the meridian, and then vanish away. Such 
are referred to in the text, " While it is 
yet day." 

One of the most beautiful things to 
look upon in this world is a glorious sun- 
set. So is the glory of the translation of 
a good man. Wesley said, " Our people 
die well." 

Even as the sun looks larger and more 
attractive at the setting, so do our friends 
in the hour of death seem more precious. 

III. The sun sets here to rise on an- 
other hemisphere. So when the life of a 
good man goes out here, it is only to be 
continued in the heavenly sphere, even 



The Manual. 75 

more glorious ; for we shall be like Christ 
when we shall see him as he is. 

"And I heard a voice from heaven say- 
ing unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord from henceforth: 
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
from their labors ; and their works do fol- 
low them." (Rev. xiv, 13.) 

How many and great are the evidences 
that generations have preceded us ! Take, 
for example, the works of art and architect- 
ure, the great libraries, universities, etc. 
Being dead, they yet speak through these. 

" The law of truth was in his mouth, 
and iniquity was not found in his lips: 
he walked with -me in peace and equity, 
and did turn many away from iniquity." 
(Mai. ii, 6.) 

Blessed the man of whom that can 
truly be said! To live by the "law of 
truth" and to "walk in peace with God," 
and to turn away from sin, is honor 
enough for one mortal. 

" For he [Barnabas] was a good man, 
and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." 
(Acts xi, 24.) 



76 The Manual. 

Note the three prime qualities : 
(a) Goodness, (b) faith, and (c) fullness 
of the Holy Ghost. A spirit-filled man. 

"Mark the perfect man, and behold 
the upright ; for the end of that man is 
peace." (Psa. xxxvii, 37.) 

It is well for us occasionally to take 
special note of a perfect (i. e., loyal) man. 
A few such are yet in the world. And 
we should open our eyes and behold the 
upright man, the old-fashioned saint, who 
practices righteousness. The resultant of 
such a life is peace. 

" Now there was at * Joppa a certain 
disciple named Tabitha, which by inter- 
pretation is called Dorcas: this woman 
was full of good works and alms-deeds 
which she did. And it came to pass in 
those days, that she was sick, and died: 
whom when they had washed, they laid 
her in an upper chamber. And foras- 
much as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and 
the disciples had heard that Peter was 
there, they sent unto him two men, desir- 



The Manual. 77 

ing him that he would not delay to come 
to them. Then Peter arose and went with 
them. When he was come, they brought 
him into the upper chamber: and all the 
widows stood by him weeping, and show- 
ing the coats and garments which Dorcas 
made, while she was with them." (Acts 
ix, 36-39.) 

Tabitha believed in applied Christian- 
ity. She had a gospel of works. She 
served not only her day and generation, 
but is the mother of all the Dorcas Socie- 
ties throughout the land, which are legion. 
The tears of the widows evidenced their 
affection, and the garments they held up 
evidenced the industry of Dorcas. 

" My tabernacle is spoiled, and my 
cords are broken: my children are gone 
forth of me, and they are not. There is 
none to stretch forth my tent any more, 
and to set up my curtain." (Jer. x, 20.) 

Many a home has thus been made des- 
olate by the ruthless hand of Death. 

" Blessed be God, even the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mer- 



78 The Manual. 

cies, and the God. of all comfort, who com- 
forteth us in all our tribulations, that we 
may be able to comfort them which are 
in any trouble, by the comfort where- 
with we ourselves are comforted of God." 
(2 Cor. i, 3, 4.) 

" The Father of Mercies" All our bless- 
ings come from him. " Thou openest thine 
hand, and satisfieth every living creature." 

"The God of all Comfort" "Let not 
your heart be troubled, neither let it be 
afraid." He careth for us. 

"In all our tribulations." And the 
greatest of these are the arrows of Death. 
And all this that "we may be able to 
comfort them which are in any trouble." 
Pass it around, is the meaning. " Freely 
ye have received, freely give." 

Be sure that we give to others the same 
comfort wherewith we ourselves are com- 
forted of God. 



PART II. 

THE RITUAL. 



CHAPTER I. 

BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 

The Minister, going before the corpse, shall 
say, 

I am the resurrection, and the life: he 
that believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever 
liveth and believeth in me shall never 
die. (John xi, 25, 26.) 

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and 
that he shall stand at the latter day upon 
the earth: and though after my skin 
worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh 
shall I see God : whom I shall see for 
myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and 
not another. (Job xix, 25-27.) 

"We brought nothing into this world, 
and it is certain we can carry nothing 
out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath 
taken away; blessed be the name of the 
Lord. (1 Tim. vi, 7; Job i, 21.) 
6 81 



82 The Eitual. 

At the grave, when the Corpse is laid in the 
Earth, the Minister shall say, 

Man that is born of woman hath but a 
short time to live, and is full of misery. 
He cometh up, and is cut down like a 
flower : he fleeth as it were a shadow, and 
never continueth in one stay. 

In the midst of life we are in death : 
of whom may we seek for succor, but of 
thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly 
displeased ? 

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord 
most mighty, O holy and most merciful 
Savior, deliver us not into the bitter pains 
of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our 
hearts ; shut not thy merciful ears to our 
prayers, but spare us, Lord most holy; 
O God most mighty, O holy and merciful 
Savior, thou most worthy Judge eternal, 
suffer us not at our last hour for any pains 
of death to fall from thee. 

Then, while the Earth shall be east upon 
the Body by some standing by, the Min- 
ister shall say, 
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty 

God, in his wise providence, to take out 



The Eitual. 83 

of the world the soul of the departed, we 
therefore commit his body to the ground, 
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to 
dust; looking for the general resurrection 
in the last day, and the life of the world 
to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
at whose second coming in glorious ma- 
jesty to judge the world, the earth and 
the sea shall give up their dead ; and the 
corruptible bodies of those who sleep in 
him shall be changed and made like unto 
his own glorious body; according to the 
mighty working whereby he is able to 
subdue all things unto himself. 

Then shall he said: 

I heard a voice from heaven saying 
unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed 
are the dead who die. in the Lord : Even 
so saith the Spirit; for they rest from 
their labors. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 



84 The Eitual. 

Then the Minister may offer this Prayer : 
Almighty God, with whom do live the 
spirits of those who depart hence in the 
Lord, and with whom the souls of the 
faithful, after they are delivered from the 
burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; 
we give thee hearty thanks for the good 
examples of all those thy servants, who, 
having finished their course in faith, do 
now rest from their labors. And we be- 
seech thee, that we, with all those who are 
departed in the true faith of thy holy 
name, may have our perfect consumma- 
tion and bliss, both in body and soul, in 
thy eternal and everlasting glory, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Collect. 

O Merciful God, the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection 
and the life ; in whom whosoever believ- 
eth shall live, though he die, and whoso- 
ever liveth and believeth in him shall not 
die eternally: we meekly beseech thee, 
O Father, to raise us from the death of 
sin unto the life of righteousness ; that 
when we shall depart this life we may 



The Eitual. 85 

rest in him ; and at the general resurrec- 
tion on the last day may be found accept- 
able in thy sight, and receive that blessing 
which thy well-beloved Son shall then 
pronounce to all that love and fear thee, 
saying, Come, ye blessed children of my 
Father, receive* the kingdom prepared for 
you from the beginning of the world. 
Grant this, we beseech thee, O Merciful 
Father, through Jesus Christ our Media- 
tor and Redeemer. Amen. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread : 
and forgive us our trespasses, as we for- 
give them that trespass against us: and 
lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, forever. 
Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the love of God, and the fellowship 
of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever- 
more. Amen, 



CHAPTER II. 

BAPTISM. 

ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
BAPTISM TO INFANTS. 

The Minister, coming to the Font, which is 
to he filled with pure water, shall use the 
following : 

Dearly Beloved, forasmuch as all 
men are conceived and born in sin, and 
that our Savior Christ saith, Except a 
man be born of water and of the Spirit 
he can not enter into the kingdom of 
God; I beseech you to call upon God the 
Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that having, of his bounteous mercy, re- 
deemed this child by the blood of his 
Son, he will grant that he, being baptized 
with water, may also be baptized with 
the Holy Ghost, be received into Christ's 
holy Church, and become a lively Member 
of the same. 

86 



The Kitual. 87 

Then shall the Minister say, 
Let us pray. 
Almighty and Everlasting God, who 
of thy great mercy hast condescended to 
enter into covenant relations with man, 
wherein thou hast included children as 
partakers of its gracious benefits, declar- 
ing that of such is thy kingdom ; and in 
thy ancient Church didst appoint divers 
baptisms, figuring thereby the renewing 
of the Holy Ghost; and by thy well- 
beloved Son Jesus Christ gavest com- 
mandment to thy holy apostles to go 
into all the world and disciple all nations, 
baptizing them in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
we beseech thee, that of thine infinite 
mercy thou wilt look upon this child: 
wash him and sanctify him; that he, be- 
ing saved by thy grace, may be received 
into Christ's holy Church, and being 
steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, 
and rooted in love, may so overcome the 
evils of this present world that finally he 
may attain to everlasting life, and reign 
with thee, world without end, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



88 The Eitual. 

O Merciful God, grant that all carnal 
affections may die in him, and that all 
things belonging to the Spirit may live 
and grow in him. Amen. 

Grant that he may have power and 
strength to have victory, and to triumph 
against the devil, the world, and the flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to 
thee by our office and ministry may also 
be endued with heavenly virtues, and 
everlastingly rewarded through thy 
mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost 
live and govern all things, world without 
end. Amen. 

Almighty, Everliving God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the 
forgiveness of our sins, did shed out -of his 
most precious side both water and blood, 
regard, we beseech thee, our supplications. 
Sanctify this water for this Holy Sacra- 
ment ; and grant that this child, now to 
be baptized, may receive the fullness of 
thy grace, and ever remain in the number 
of thy faithful and elect children, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Kitual. 89 

Then shall the Minister address the Parents 
or Guardians as follows : 

Dearly Beloved, forasmuch as this 
child is now presented by you for Chris- 
tian Baptism, you must remember that it 
is your part and duty to see that he be 
taught, as soon as he shall be able to learn, 
the nature and end of this Holy Sacrament. 
And that he ma}^ know these things the 
better, you shall call upon him to give 
reverent attendance upon the appointed 
means of grace, such as the ministry of 
the Word, and the public and private wor- 
ship of God; and further, you shall pro- 
vide that he shall read the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and learn the Lord's Prayer, the 
Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, 
the Catechism, and all other things 
which a Christian ought to know and be- 
lieve to his soul's health, in order that he 
may be brought up to lead a virtuous and 
holy life, remembering always that Bap- 
tism doth represent unto us that inward 
purity which disposeth us to follow the 
example of our Savior Christ; that as he 
died and rose again for us, so should we, 



90 The Eitual. 

who are baptized, die unto sin and rise 
again unto righteousness, continually mor- 
tifying all corrupt affections, and daily 
proceeding in all virtue and godliness. 

Do you therefore solemnly engage to 
fulfill these duties, so far as in you lies, 
the Lord being your helper? 

Ans. We do. 

Then shall the People stand up, and the 
Minister shall say : 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by 
St. Mark. (Chap, x, 13-16.) 

They brought young children to Christ, 
that he should touch them. And his 
disciples rebuked those that brought 
them. But when Jesus saw it, he was 
much displeased, and said unto them, 
Suffer the little children to come unto 
me, and forbid them not; for of such is 
the kingdom of God. Yerily I say unto 
you, Whosoever shall not receive the 
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall 
not enter therein. And he took them up 
in his arms, put his hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 



The Eitual. 91- 

Then the Minister shall take the Child into 
his hands, and say to the friends of the 
Child, 

Name this child. 

And then, naming it after them, he shall 
sprinkle or pour Water upon it, or, if 
desired, immerse it in Water, saying, 

]¥., I baptize thee in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister offer the following 
Prayer, the People , 



O God of infinite mercy, the Father of 
all the faithful seed, be pleased to grant 
unto this child an understanding mind 
and a sanctified heart. May thy provi- 
dence lead him through the dangers, 
temptations, and ignorance of his youth, 
that he may never run into folly, nor into 
the evils of an unbridled appetite. "We 
pray thee so to order the course of his 
life that, by good education, by holy ex- 
amples, and by thy restraining and renew- 
ing grace, he may be led to serve thee 



92 The Kitual. 

faithfully all his days; so that, when 
he has glorified thee in his generation, 
and has served the Church on earth, he 
may be received into thine eternal king- 
dom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty and most Merciful Father, 
let thy loving mercy and compassion de- 
scend upon these, thy servant and hand- 
maid, t'he parents [or guardians] of th is 
child. Grant unto them, we beseech thee, 
thy Holy Spirit, that they may, like Abra- 
ham, command their household to keep 
the way of the Lord. Direct their actions, 
and sactify their hearts, words, and pur- 
poses, that their whole family may be 
united to our Lord Jesus Christ in the 
bands of faith, obedience, and charity; 
and that they all, being in this life thy 
holy children by adoption and grace, may 
be admitted into the Church of the first- 
born in heaven, through the merits of 
thy dear Son, our Savior and Redeemer. 
A?nen. 



The Eitual. 93 

Then may the Minister offer extemporary 
Prayer. 

Then shall he said, all hieeling : 
Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive them that trespass against us : 
and lead us not into temptation, but de- 
liver us from evil: for thine is the king- 
dom, and the power, and the glory, for- 
ever. Amen. 

ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 

BAPTISM TO SUCH AS ARE OF 

RIPER YEARS. 

Dearly Beloved, forasmuch as all men 
are conceived and born in sin ; and that 
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and 
they that are in the flesh can not please 
God, but live in sin, committing many 
actual transgressions ; and our Savior 
Christ saith, Except a man be born of 
water and of the Spirit he can not enter 
into the kingdom of God: I beseech you 
to call upon God the Father through our 



94 The Ritual. 

Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous 
goodness he will grant to these persons that 
which by nature they can not have; that 
they, being baptized with water, may also 
be baptized with the Holy Ghost, and, 
being received into Christ's holy Church, 
may continue lively Members of the same. 

Then shall the Minister say 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and Immortal God, the aid 
of all that need, the helper of all that flee 
to thee for succor, the life of them that 
believe, and the resurrection of the dead: 
we call upon thee for these 2?erso?is, that 
they, coming to thy Holy Baptism, may 
also be filled with thy Holy Spirit. Re- 
ceive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised 
by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and 
ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find ; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
so give now unto us that ask ; let us that 
seek, find; open the gate unto us that 
knock; that these persons may enjoy the 
everlasting benediction of thy heavenly 
washing, and may come to the eternal 



The Ritual. 95 

kingdom which thou hast promised, by 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the People stand up 9 and the 
Minister shall say: 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by 
St. John. (Chap, iii, 1-8.) 

There was a man of the Pharisees 
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 
the same came to Jesus by night, and said 
unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art 
a teacher come from God; for no man 
can do these miracles that thou doest ex- 
cept God be with him. Jesus answered 
and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say 
unto thee, Except a man be born again, 
he can not see the kingdom of God. Nic- 
odemus saith unto him, How can a man 
be born when he is old? Can he enter 
the second time into his mother's womb, 
and be born? Jesus answered, Yerily, 
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be 
born of water and of the Spirit he can 
not enter into the kingdom of God. That 
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and 
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 



96 . The Ritual. 

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must 
be born again. The wind bloweth where 
it listeth, and thou nearest the sound 
thereof, but canst not tell whence it Com- 
eth, and whither it goeth : so is every one 
that is born of the Spirit. 

Then the Minister shall speak to the Per- 
sons to he baptised on this wise : 

Well Beloved, who have come hither 
desiring to receive Holy Baptism, you 
have heard how the Congregation hath 
prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would 
vouchsafe to receive you, to bless you, and 
to give you the kingdom of heaven, and 
everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus 
Christ hath promised in his Holy Word to 
grant all those things that we have prayed 
for: which promise he for his part will 
most surely keep and perform. 

Wherefore, after this promise made by 
Christ, you must also faithfully, for your 
part, promise in the presence of this whole 
congregation, that you will renounce the 
devil and all his works, and constantly be- 
lieve God's Holy Word, and obediently 
keep his commandments. 



The Eitual. 97 

Then shall the Minister demand of each of 
the Persons to he baptized: 

Quest. Dost thou renounce the devil 
and all his works, the vain pomp and 
glory of the world, with all covetous de- 
sires of the same, and the carnal desires 
of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow 
nor be led by them ? 

Ans. I renounce them all. 

Quest. Dost thou believe in God the 
Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and 
earth ; 

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten 
Son our Lord ; and that he was conceived 
by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pi- 
late, was crucified, dead, and buried ; that 
he rose again the third day ; that he as- 
cended into heaven, and sitteth at the 
right hand of God the Father Almighty- 
;m<l from thence shall come again at the 
end of the world, to judge the quick and 
the dead? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy 
Ghost; the holy catholic Church, the 
communion of saints; the forgiveness of 
7 



98 The Ritual. 

sins; the resurrection of the body; and 
everlasting life after death? 

Ans. All this I steadfastly believe. 

Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
faith? 

Ans. Such is my desire. 

Quest. Wilt thou then obediently keep 
God's holy will and commandments, and 
walk in the same ail the days of thy life? 

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God be- 
ing my helper. 

Then shall the Minister say: 

O Merciful God, grant that all carnal 
affections may die in these persons, and 
that all things belonging to the Spirit 
may live and grow in them. Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and 
strength to have victory, and triumph 
against the devil, the world, and the flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant that they, being here dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry, may 
also be endued with heavenly virtues, 
and everlastingly rewarded, through thy 
mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live 



The Ritual. 99 

and govern all things, world without end. 
Amen. 

Almighty, Everliving God, whose most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the 
forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his 
most precious side both water and blood ; 
and gave commandment to his disciples 
that they should go teach all nations, and 
baptize them in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; 
regard, we beseech thee, our supplications; 
and grant that the persons now to be bap- 
tized may receive the fullness of thy grace, 
and ever remain in the number of thy 
faithful and elect children, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Then shall the Minister ask the name of 
of each Person to he baptized, and shall 
sprinkle or pour Water upon him (or, if 
he shall desire it, shall immerse him in 
Water), saying: 

N., I baptize thee in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

LofC. 



100 The Ritual. 

Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all 

kneeling. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread : 
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
them that trespass against us : and lead 
us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

Then may the Minister conclude with 
extemporary Prayer. 



CHAPTER III. 

KECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 

FORM FOR RECEIVING PERSONS INTO 
THE CHURCH AS PROBATIONERS. 

Those ivho are to be received into the Church 
as Probationers shall be called forward 
by name, and the Minister, addressing 
the Congregation, shall say : 

Dearly Beloved Brethren: That none 
may be admitted hastily into the Church, 
we receive all persons seeking fellowship 
with us on profession of faith into a pre- 
paratory membership on trial; in which 
proof may be made, both to themselves 
and to the Church, of the sincerity and 
depth of their convictions and of the 
strength of their purpose to lead a new 
life. 

The persons here present desire to be 

so admitted. You will hear their answers 

to the questions put to them, and if you 

make no objection they will be received. 

101 



102 The Ritual. 

It is needful, however, that you be re- 
minded of your responsibility, as having 
previously entered this holy fellowship, 
and as now representing the Church into 
which they seek admission. Remember- 
ing their inexperience, and how much 
they must learn in order to become good 
soldiers of Jesus Christ, see to it that they 
find in you holy examples of life, and lov- 
ing help in the true serving of their Lord 
and ours. I beseech you so to order your 
your own lives that these new disciples 
may take no detriment from you, but that 
it may ever be cause for thanksgiving to 
God that they were led into this fellow- 
ship. 

Then addressing the Persons seeking Ad- 
mission on Probation , the Minister shall 
say: 

Dearly Beloved, you have, by the grace 
of God, made your decision to follow 
Christ and to serve him. Your confidence 
in so doing is not to be based on any no- 
tion of fitness or worthiness in yourselves, 
but solely on the merits of our Lord Jesus 



The Ritual. 103 

Christ, and on his death and intercession 
for us. 

That the Church may know your pur- 
pose, you will answer the questions I am 
now to ask you. 

Have you an earnest desire to be saved 
from your sins ? 

Ans. I have. 

Will you guard yourselves against all 
things contrary to the teaching of God's 
Word, and endeavor to lead a holy life, 
following the commandments of God ? 

Ans. I will endeavor so to do. 

Are you purposed to give reverent at- 
tendance upon the appointed means of 
grace in the ministry of the Word, and in 
the private and public worship of God ? 

Ans. I am so determined, with the 
help of God. 

No objection being offered, the Minister 
shall then announce that the Candidates 
are admitted as Probationers, and shall 
assign them to classes. 

Then the Minister shall offer extempo- 
rary prayer , 



104 The Eitual. 

FORM FOR RECEIVING PERSONS INTO 
THE CHURCH AFTER PROBATION. 

On the day appointed ', all that are to be 
received into the Church shall be called 
forward, and the Minister, addressing 
the Congregation, shall say : 

Dearly Beloved Brethren, the Scrip- 
tures teach us that the Church is the house- 
hold of God, the body of which Christ is 
the head ; and that it is the design of the 
gospel to bring together in one all who 
are in Christ. The fellowship of the 
Church is the communion that its mem- 
bers enjoy one with another. The ends 
of this fellowship are, the maintenance of 
sound doctrine and of the ordinances of 
Christian worship, and the exercise of 
that power of godly admonition and dis- 
cipline which Christ has committed to his 
Church for the promotion of holiness. It 
is the duty of all men to unite in this fel- 
lowship : for it is only those that " be 
planted in the house of the Lord" that 
" shall nourish in the courts of our God." 
Its more particular duties are, to promote 
peace and unity; to bear one another's 



The Kitual. 105 

burdens; to prevent each other's stum- 
bling; to seek the intimacy of friendly 
society among themselves ; to continue 
steadfast in the faith and worship of the 
gospel ; and to pray and sympathize with 
each other. Among its privileges are, pe- 
culiar incitements to holiness from the 
hearing of God's Word and sharing in 
Christ's ordinances; the being placed un- 
der the watchful care of Pastors ; and the 
enjoyment of the blessings which are 
promised only to those who are of the 
Household of Faith. Into this holy fel- 
lowship the p>er sons before you, who have 
already received the Sacrament of Bap- 
tism, and have been under the care of 
proper leaders for six months on Trial, 
come seeking admission. We now propose, 
in the fear of God, to question them as to 
their faith and purposes, that you may 
know that they are proper persons to be 
admitted into the Church. 

Then, addressing the Applicants for Ad- 
mission, the Minister shall say: 

Dearly Beloved, you are come hither 
seeking the great privilege of union with 



106 The Ritual. 

the Church our Saviour has purchased 
with his own blood. We rejoice in the 
grace of God vouchsafed unto you in that 
he has called you to be his followers, and 
that thus far you have run well. You 
have heard how blessed are the privileges, 
and how solemn are the duties, of mem- 
bership in Christ's Church; and before 
you are fully admitted thereto, it is 
proper that you do here publicly renew 
your vows, confess your faith, and declare 
your purpose, by answering the following 
questions : 

Do you here, in the presence of God 
and of this Congregation, renew the sol- 
emn promise contained in the Baptismal 
Covenant, ratifying and confirming the 
same, and acknowledging yourselves bound 
faithfully to observe and keep that Cove- 
nant? 

Aixs. I do. 

Have you saving faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ? 

Arts. I trust I have. 

Do you believe in the Doctrines of the 
Holy Scriptures as set forth in the Arti- 



The Kitual. 107 

cles of Religion of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church? 

A ns. I do. 

Will you cheerfully be governed by the 
Rules of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
hold sacred the Ordinances of God, and 
endeavor, as much as in you lies, to pro- 
mote the welfare of your brethren and 
the advancement of the Redeemer's king- 
dom? 

Ans. I will. 

Will you contribute of your earthly 
substance, according to your ability, to 
the support of the gospel and the various 
benevolent enterprises of the Church ? 

Ans. I will. 

Then the Minister, addressing the Church, 
shall say: 

Brethren, these j)erso?is having given 
satisfactory responses to our inquiries, 
have any of you reason to allege why they 
should not be received into Full member- 
ship in the Church? 



108 The Bitual. 

No objections being alleged, the Minister 
shall say to the Candidates: 

We welcome you to the communion of 
the Church of God ; and, in testimony of 
our Christian affection and the cordiality 
with which we receive you, I hereby ex- 
tend to you the right hand of fellowship; 
and may God grant that you. may be a 
faithful and useful Member of the Church 
militant till you are called to the fellow- 
ship of the Church triumphant, which is 
" without fault before the throne of God." 

Then shall the Minister offer extemporary 
prayer. 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE LOKD'S SUPPER. 

[Whenever practicable, let none but the pure, un- 
fermented juice of the grape be used in administering 
the Lord's Supper.] 

[Let persons who have scruples concerning the 
receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 
kneeling be permitted to receive it either standing 
or sitting.] 

[No person shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper 
among us who is guilty of any practice for which we 
would exclude a Member of our Church.] 



ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

The Elder shall say one or more of these 
Sentences, during the reading of which 
the Persons appointed for that purpose 
shall receive the Alms for the Poor: 
Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works, and 

glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

(Matt, v, 16.) 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures 

upon earth, where moth and rust doth 
109 



110 The Ritual. 

corrupt, and where thieves break through 
and steal ; but lay up for yourselves treas- 
ures in heaven, where neither moth nor 
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do 
not break through nor steal. (Matt, vi, 
19, 20.) 

Whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even so to them: for this 
is the law and the prophets. (Matt, vii, 12.) 
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, 
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven; but he that doeth the will of 
my Father which is in heaven. (Matt, 
vii, 21.) 

Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord : 
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give 
to the poor ; and if I have taken anything 
from any man by false accusation, I re- 
store him fourfold. (Luke xix, 8.) 

He which soweth sparingly shall reap 
also sparingly ; and he which soweth boun- 
tifully shall reap also bountifully. Every 
man 'according as he purposeth in his 
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or 
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful 
giver. (2 Cor. ix, 6, 7.) 



The Eitual. Ill 

As we have therefore opportunity, let 
us do good unto all men, especially unto 
them who are of the household of faith. 
(Gal. vi. 10.) ' 

Godliness with contentment is great 
gain; for we brought nothing into this 
world, and it is certain we can carry noth- 
ing out. (1 Tim. vi, 6, 7.) 

Charge them that are rich in this 
world, that they be not high-minded, nor 
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living 
God, who giveth us richly all things to 
enjoy; that they do good, that they be 
rich in good works, ready to distribute, 
willing to communicate: laying up in 
store for themselves a good foundation 
against the time to come, that they may 
lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. vi, 1 7-1 9.) 

God is not unrighteous to forget your 
work and labor of love, which ye have 
showed toward his name, in that ye have 
ministered to the saints, and do minister. 
(Heb. vi, 10.) 

To do good and to communicate forget 
not ; for with such sacrifices God is well 
pleased. (Ileb. xiii, 16.) 



112 The Eitual. 

Whoso hath this world's good, and 
seeth his brother have need, and shutteth 
up his bowels of compassion from him, 
how dwelleth the love of God in him? 
(1 John iii, 1 7.) 

He that hath pity upon the poor lencl- 
eth unto the Lord; and that which he 
hath given will he pay him again. (Prov. 
xix, 17.) 

Blessed is he that considereth the poor : 
the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 
(Psa. xli, 1.) 

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto 
thy brother, to thy poor. (Deut. xv, 11.) 

After tohich the Elder shall give the follow- 
ing invitation, the People standing : 

If any man sin, we have an advocate 
with the Father, Jesus Christ the right- 
eous: and he is the propitiation for our 
sins : and not for ours only, but also for 
the sins of tlie whole world. 

Wherefore ye that do truly and earn- 
estly repent of your sins, and are in love 
and charity with your neighbors, and in- 



The Kitual. 113 

tend to lead a new life, following the 
commandments of God and walking from 
henceforth in his holy ways, draw near 
with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament 
to your comfort; and, devoutly kneeling, 
make your humble confession to Almighty 
God. 

Then shall this general Confession he made 
by the Minister in the name of all those 
who are minded to receive the Holy Com- 
munion, both he and all the People de- 
voutly kneeling, and saying : 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge 
of all men, we acknowledge and bewail 
our manifold sins and wickedness, which 
we from time to time most grievously 
have committed, by thought, word, and 
deed, against thy Divine Majesty, pro- 
voking most justly thy wrath and in- 
dignation against us. We do earnestly 
repent, and are heartily sorry for these 
our misdoings; the remembrance of them 
is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon 
us, have mercy upon us, most merciful 
Father: for thy Son, our Lord Jesus 



114 The Ritual. 

Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past ; 
and grant that we may ever hereafter 
serve and please thee in newness of life, 
to the honor and glory of thy name, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Elder say : 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 
who of thy great mercy hast promised for- 
giveness of sins to all them that with 
hearty repentance and true faith turn 
unto thee, have mercy upon us ; pardon 
and deliver us from all our sins : confirm 
and strengthen us in all goodness; and 
bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts 
are open, all desires known, and from 
whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the 
thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration 
of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly 
love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy 
name through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



The Kitual. 115 

Then shall the Elder say: 
"We do not presume to come to this thy 
table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own 
righteousness, but in thy manifold and 
great mercies. We are not worthy so 
much as to gather up the crumbs under 
thy table. But thou art the same Lord, 
whose property is always to have mercy. 
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to 
eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, 
and to drink his blood, that we may live 
and grow thereby ; and that, being washed 
through his most precious blood, we may 
evermore dwell in him, and he in us. 
Amen. 

Then the Elder shall offer the prayer of 
Consecration , as followeth : 

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, 
who of thy tender mercy didst give thine 
only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon 
the cross for our redemption; who made 
there, by his oblation of himself once of- 
fered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacri- 
fice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins 
of tin. 1 whole world; and did institute, and 
in his holy Gospel command us to con- 



116 The Ritual, 

tinue, a perpetual memory of his precious 
death until his coming again: hear us, O 
merciful Father, we most humbly beseech 
thee, and grant that we, receiving these 
thy creatures of bread and wine, according 
to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ's holy 
institution, in remembrance of his death 
and passion, may be partakers of his most 

( 1 ) H ti blessed body and blood, who, 
Elder may i n the same night that he was 
take the plate betrayed, took bread; (*)and 
of bread in w hen he had given thanks, 

his hand. he br()ke itj and gaye ^ tQ 

his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my 
body which is given for you; do this in 
remembrance of me. 

( 2 ) Here he Likewise after supper he 
may take the took ( 2 ) the cup; and when 
cup in his } ie had given thanks, he gave 

it to them, saying, Drink ye 
all of this; for this is my blood of the 
New Testament, which is shed for you, 
and for many, for the remission of sins ; 
do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in re- 
membrance of me. Amen. 



The Eitual. 117 

Then shall the Minister receive the Com- 
mu?iio?i in both kinds, and proceed to de- 
liver the same to the other Ministers, if 
any bejiresent; after which he shall say : 
It is very meet, right, and our bounden 
duty that we should at all times and in all 
places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy 
Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. 

Therefore with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, we 
laud and magnify thy glorious name, ever- 
more praising thee, and saying, Holy, 
Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven 
and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be 
thee, O Lord most high ! Amen. 

The Minister shall then proceed to admin- 
ister the Communion to the People in 
order, kneeling, into their uncovered 
hands; and when he delivereth the 
Bread, he shall say : 
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was given for thee, preserve thy soul 
and body unto everlasting life. Take and 
eat this in remembrance that Christ died 
for thee ; and feed on him in thy heart by 
faith, with thanksgiving. 



118 The Ritual. 

And the Minister that deliver eth the Cup 
shall say: 
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was shed for thee, preserve thy soul 
and body unto everlasting life. Drink this 
in remembrance that Christ's blood was 
shed for thee, and be thankful. 

[If the Consecrated bread or wine shall be all spent 
before all have communed, the Elder may Consecrate 
more by repeating the Prayer of Consecration.] 

[When all have communed, the Minister shall re- 
turn to the Lord's table and place upon it what re- 
maineth of the Consecrated elements, covering the 
same with a fair linen cloth] 

Then shall the Elder say the Lord's Prayer; 

the People kneeling, and repeating after 

him every petition. 

Our Father who art in heaven, h&l- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: 
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
them that trespass against us : and lead us 
not into temptation, but deliver us from 
evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

After which shall be said as followeth : 
O Lord our Heavenly Father, we thy 
humble servants desire thy Fatherly good- 



The Eitual. 119 

ness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice 
of praise and thanksgiving: most humbly 
beseeching thee to grant, that, by the 
merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, 
and through faith in his blood, we and 
thy whole Church may obtain forgiveness 
of our sins, and all other benefits of his 
passion. And here we offer and present 
unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and 
bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively 
sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching 
thee that all we who are partakers of this 
Holy Communion may be filled with thy 
grace and heavenly benediction. And al- 
though we be unworthy, through our man- 
ifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, 
yet we beseech thee to accept this our 
bounden duty and service ; not weighing 
our merits, but pardoning our offenses, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord ; by whom, 
and with whom, in the unity of the Holy 
Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, 
O Father Almighty, world without end. 
Amen. 

Then shall he said or sung : 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth 
peace, good will toward men! We praise 



120 The Eitual. 

thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we 
glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for 
thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly 
King, God the Father Almighty! 

O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus 
Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son 
of the Father, that takest away the sins 
of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou 
that takest away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest 
away the sins of the world, receive our 
prayer. Thou that sittest at the right 
hand of God the Father, have mercy upon 
us. For thou only art holy; thou only 
art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with 
the Holy Ghost, art most high in the 
glory of God the Father. Amen. 

Then the Elder ', if he see it expedient^ may 
put up an extemporary Prayer ; and 

afterward shall let the People depart 

toith this Blessing: 

The peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, keep your hearts and minds 
in the knowledge and love of God, and of 
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the 
blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, 
and remain with you always. Amen. 



CHAPTER V. 

MATRIMONY. 



FORM FOR THE SOLEMNIZATION OF 
MATRIMONY. 

[The parts in brackets throughout may be used or not 
at discretion.] 

At the day and time appointed for the 
Solemnization of Matrimony, the per- 
sons to be married — having been quali- 
fied according to law — standing together, 
the Man on the right hand and the Wo- 
man on the left, the Minister shall say : 

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered to- 
gether here in the sight of God, and in 
the presence of these witnesses, to join 
together this man and this woman in holy 
Matrimony ; which is an honorable es- 
tate, instituted of God in the time of 
man's innocency, signifying unto us the 
mystical union that exists between Christ 
and his Church; which holy estate Christ 
121 



122 The Ritual. 

adorned and beautified with his presence, 
and first miracle that he wrought, in 
Cana of Galilee, and is commended of 
Saint Paul to be honorable among all 
men ; and therefore is not by any to be 
entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, 
discreetly, and in the fear of God. 

Into which holy estate these two per- 
sons present come now to be joined. 
Therefore if any can show just cause 
why they may not lawfully be joined to- 
gether, let him now speak, or else here- 
after forever hold his peace. 

[And also speaking unto the jyersons that 
are to be married, the Minister shall 

say : 

I require and charge you both, that if 
either of you know of any impediment 
why you may not be lawfully joined to- 
gether in Matrimony, you do now confess 
it: for be ye well assured, that so many 
as are coupled together otherwise than 
God's Word doth allow, are not joined 
together by God, neither is their Matri- 
mony lawful.] 



The Eitual. 123 

If no impediment he alleged, then shall the 
Minister say unto the Man, 

M., wilt thou have this woman to be 
thy wedded wife, to live together after 
God's ordinance in the holy estate of 
Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, com- 
fort her, honor and keep her, in sickness 
and in health; and forsaking all other, 
keep thee only unto her, so long as ye 
both shall live? 

The Man shall answer, 
I will. 

Then shall the Minister say unto the 
Woman, 

N., wilt thou have this man to be thy 
wedded husband, to live together after 
God's ordinance in the holy estate of Mat- 
rimony ? Wilt thou love, honor, and keep 
him, in sickness and in health; and for- 
saking all other, keep thee only unto him, 
so long as ye both shall live? 

The Woman shall answer, 
I will. 



124 The Ritual. 

[Then the Minister shall cause the Man 
with his right hand to take the Woman 
by her right hand, and to say after him 
as follow eth : 

I, M., take thee, i\T., to be my wedded 
wife, to have and to hold, from this day 
forward, for better, for worse, for richer, 
for poorer, in sickness and in health, to 
love and to cherish, till death us do part, 
according to God's holy ordinance; and 
thereto I plight thee my faith. 

Then shall they loose their hands, and the 
Woman, with her right hand taking the 

Man by his right hand, shall likewise 

say after the Minister: 

I, JV., take thee, M., to be my wedded 
husband, to have and to hold, from this 
day forward, for better, for worse, for 
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in 
health, to love and to cherish, till death 
us do part, according to God's holy ordi- 
nance; and thereto I plight thee my 
faith.] 

Then shall the Minister pray thus: 
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver 
of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual 



The Ritual. 125 

grace, the Author of everlasting life : send 
thy blessing upon these thy servants, this 
man and this woman, whom we bless in 
thy name; that as Isaac and Rebecca 
lived faithfully together, so these persons 
may surely perform and keep the vow and 
covenant between them made, and may 
ever remain in perfect love and peace to- 
gether, and live according to thy laws, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

[If the parties desire it, the Man shall here 
hand a Ring to the Minister, who shall 
return it to him, and direct him to place 
it on the third finger of the Woman's 
left hand. And the Man shall say to 
the Woman, repeating after the Min- 
ister : 

A\ r ith this ring I thee wed, and with 
my worldly goods I thee endow, in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Their shall the Minister join their right 
hands together, and say, 

Forasmuch as M. and X. have con- 
sented together in holy wedlock, and have 



126 The Kitital. 

witnessed the same before God and this 
company, and thereto have pledged their 
faith either to other, and have declared 
the same by joining of hands; I pro- 
nounce that they are husband and wife 
together, in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Those 
whom God hath joined together, let no 
man put asunder. Amen. 

And the Minister shall add this blessing: 

God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the 
Lord mercifully with his favor look upon 
you, and so fill you with all spiritual ben- 
ediction and grace that ye may so live 
together in this life that in the world to 
come ye may have life everlasting. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister offer the following 
Prayer : 

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, 
God of Jacob, bless this man and this 
woman, and sow the seed of eternal life 
in their hearts, that whatsoever in thy 
Holy Word they shall profitably learn, 



The Eitual. 127 

they may indeed fulfill the same. Look, 
O Lord, mercifully on them from heaven, 
and bless them: as thou didst send thy 
blessings upon Abraham and Sarah to 
their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send 
thy blessings upon this man and this 
woman, that they, obeying thy will, and 
always being in safety under thy protec- 
tion, may abide in thy love unto their 
lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Almighty God, who at the beginning 
didst create our first parents, Adam and 
Eve, and didst sanctify and join them 
together in marriage, pour upon these 
persons the riches of thy grace, sanctify 
and bless them, that they may please 
thee both in body and soul, and live to- 
gether in holy love unto their lives' end. 
Amen. 

Here the Minister may use extemporary 
Prayer. 

Then the Minister shall repeat the LoroVs 
Prayer : 
Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth as it is in 



128 The Ritual. 

heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as 
we forgive them that trespass against 
us: and lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil: for thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
forever. Amen. 



CHAPTER VI. 

COKNEK-STONE AND DEDI- 
CATION. 



FORM FOR LAYING THE CORNER-STONE 
OF A CHURCH. 

The Minister, standing near the place 
where the Stone is to be laid, shall say 
unto the Congregation: 

Dearly Beloved, we are taught in the 
Word of God, that, although the heaven 
of heavens can not contain the Eternal 
One, much less the walls of temples made 
with hands, yet his delight is ever with 
the sons of men, and that wherever two 
or three are gathered in his name, there 
is he in the midst of them. And in all 
ages his servants have separated certain 
places lor his worship: as Jacob erected a 
Stone in Bethel for God's house; as Moses 
made ;i tabernacle in the desert; as Solo- 
mon builded a temple for the Lord, which 
he filled with the glory of his presence 
9 129 



130 The Ritual. 

before all the people. We are now assem- 
bled to lay the Corner-stone of a new 
house for the worship of the God of our 
fathers. Let us not doubt that he will 
favorably approve our godly purpose, and 
let us now devoutly unite in singing his 
praise, and in prayer for his blessing on 
this our undertaking. 

Let one of the Hymns 856-871 be sung. 

Then shall the Minister say. 

Let us pray. 

Most glorious God, the heaven is thy 
throne and the earth is thy footstool; 
what house then can be builded for thee, 
or where is the place of thy rest? Yet, 
blessed be thy name, O Lord God, that it 
hath pleased thee to have thy habitation 
among the sons of men, and to dwell in 
the midst of the assembly of the saints 
upon the earth. And now, especially, we 
render thanks unto thy holy name that it 
hath pleased thee to put it into the hearts 
of thy servants to erect in this place a 
house for thy worship. "We thank thee 
for thy grace which has inclined them to 



The Eituat. 131 

contribute of their substance for the glory 
of thy name: and we pray thee to con- 
tinue thy blessing upon their pious under- 
taking. Amen. 

May many unite with them in their 
holy work, until this habitation of thy 
house shall be completed, and ready for 
dedication to thy service, free from all 
debt or claim of man. Amen. 

May peace and harmony prevail in the 
counsels of thy servants, and may no self- 
ish or divided aims find place among 
them. May the work of this building be 
completed without hurt or accident to any 
person. And when thou shalt have pros- 
pered the work of their hands upon them, 
and this house shall be prepared and fin- 
ished for thy service, grant that all who 
shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work 
may show forth their thankfulness by 
making a right use of it, to the glory of 
thy blessed name, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Grant that [ill who shall hereafter wor- 
ship thee in the temole here to he Imilded 



132 The Ritual. 

may so serve and please thee in all holy 
exercises of godliness, that in the end they 
may come to that temple on high, even to 
the holy place made without hands, whose 
builder and maker is God. Amen. 

Hear us, O Lord, for thou art our God 
in whom we trust. And when we shall 
cease to pray unto thee on earth, may we, 
with all those who in like manner have 
erected such places to thy name, and with 
all thy saints and redeemed ones, eter- 
nally praise thee for all thy goodness 
vouchsafed unto us here on earth and laid 
up for us there in heaven. Amen. 

Accept these our prayers, we beseech 
thee, for the sake of thy dear Son ; and 
to thee, the only true and living God, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor, 
praise, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister read the following 
Psalm, or the Minister and People may 
read it in alternate verses; the parts in 
italics to he read by the people. 

Psalm cxxxii. 
Lord, remember David, and all his 

afflictions : 



The Eitual. 133 

How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed 
unto the mighty God of Jacob ; 

Surely I will not come into the taber- 
nacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; 

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor 
slumber to mine eyelids, 

Until I find out a place for the Lord, 

A habitation for the mighty God of 
Jacob. 

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we 
found it in the fields of the wood. 

We will go into his tabernacles; we will 
worship at his footstool. 

Arise, O Lord, into thy rest ; thou, and 
the ark of thy strength. 

Let thy priests be clothed with righteous- 
ness ; 

And let thy saints shout for joy. . 

For thy servant David's sake turn not 
away the face of thine anointed. 

The Lord hath sworn in truth unto 
David; he will not turn from it; 

Of the fruit of thy body 'will 1 set wpon 
tli i J tfrrone. 

If thy children will keep my covenant 
and my testimony that I shall teach them, 
their children shall also sit upon thy throne 
for evermore. 



134 The Ritual. 

For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath 
desired it for his habitation 

This is ray rest forever; here will I 
dwell ; for I have desired it. 

L will abundantly bless her provision : 

I will satisfy her poor with bread. 

/ will also clothe her priests with sal- 
vation : 

And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 

There will I make the horn of David to 
bud. 

I have ordained a lamp for mine 
anointed. 

His enemies will 1 clothe with shame: 

But upon himself shall his crown 
flourish. 

The Lesson. 1 Corinthians iii, 9-23. 

For we are laborers together with 
God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are 
God's building. According to the grace 
of God which is given unto me, as a wise 
master builder, I have laid the foundation, 
and another buildeth thereon. But let 
every man take heed how he buildeth 
thereupon. For other foundation can no 
man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus 



The Ritual. 135 

Christ. Now if any man build upon this 
foundation gold, silver, precious stones, 
wood, hay, stubble; every man's work 
shall be made manifest : for the clay shall 
declare it, because it shall be revealed by 
fire ; and the fire shall try every man's 
work of what sort it is. If any man's work 
abide which he hath built thereupon, he 
shall receive a reward. If any man's work 
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss : but 
he himself shall be saved ; yet so as by fire. 
Know ye not that ye are the temple of 
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth 
in you? If any man defile the temple of 
God, him shall God destroy ; for the tem- 
ple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 
Let no man deceive himself. If any man 
among you seemeth to be wise in this 
world, let him become a fool, that he may 
be wise. For the wisdom of this world is 
foolishness with God : for it is written, He 
taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 
And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts 
of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore 
let no man glory in men: for all things 
fere yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or 
Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or 



136 The Eitual. 

things present, or things to come ; all are 
yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is 
God's. 

Then shall follow the Sermon, or an ad- 
dress suitable to the occasion; after 
which the Contributions of the People 
shall be received. 

Then shall the Minister, standing by the Stone, exhibit to 
the Congregation a box to be placed in an excavation of the 
Stone. It may contain a copy of the Bible, the Hymn 
Book, the Discipline, the Church Year Book for the 
year, Church periodicals of recent date, the names of 
the Pastor, Trustees, and Building Committee of the 
Church, with such other documents as may be desired. 
A list of these may be read, after which the Minister 
may deposit the box in the Stone and cover it; and the 
Stone shall be laid and adjusted by the Minister, assisted 
by the Builder. 

Then shall the Minister say : 
In the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we lay this 
Corner-stone for the foundation of a house 
to be builcied and consecrated to the serv- 
ice of Almighty God, according to the 
order and usages of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. Amen. 

The service may conclude with extempo- 
rary Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, and 

the Benediction. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FORM FOR THE DEDICATION OF A 
CHURCH. 

The Congregation being assembled in the 
Church, the Minister shall say : 

Dearly Beloved, the Scriptures teach 
us that God is well pleased with those 
who build temples to his name. We have 
heard how he filled the temple of Solo- 
mon with his glory, and how in the sec- 
ond temple he manifested himself still 
more gloriously. And the Gospel ap- 
proves and commends the centurion who 
built a synagogue for the people. Let us 
not doubt that he will also favorably ap- 
prove our purpose of dedicating this 
place in solemn manner, for the perform- 
ance of the several offices of religious 
worship; and let us now devoutly join in 
pntise to his name, that this godly under- 
taking hath been so far completed, and in 
prayer for his further blessing upon all 
137 



138 The Ritual. 

who have been engaged therein, and upon 
all who shall hereafter worship his name 
in this place. 

Let one of the Hymns 856-871 he sung ; 
afterward let extemporary Prayer he 
offered, the Congregation all kneeling: 

Then shall the Minister, or some one ap- 
pointed hy him, read 

The First Lesson. 2 Chronicles vi, 1, 2, 
18-21, 40-42; vii, 1-4. 

Then said Solomon, The Lord hath 
said that he would dwell in the thick 
darkness. But I have built a house of 
habitation for thee, and a place for thy 
dwelling forever. 

But will God in very deed dwell with 
men on the earth ( Behold, heaven and 
the heaven of heavens can not contain 
thee ; how much less this house which I 
have built! Have respect therefore to the 
prayer of thy servant, and to his supplica- 
tion, Lord my God, to hearken unto 
the cry and the prayer which thy servant 
prayeth before thee: that thine eyes may 
be open upon this house day and night, 



The Ritual. 139 

upon the place whereof thou hast said 
that thou wouldest put thy name there : 
to hearken unto the prayer which thy 
servant prayeth toward this place. 
Hearken therefore unto the supplications 
of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, 
which they shall make toward this place: 
hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even 
from heaven; and when thou hearest, 
forgive. 

Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, 
thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be 
attent unto the prayer that is made in 
this place. Now therefore arise, O Lord 
God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the 
ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O 
Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and 
let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Lord 
God, turn not away the face of thine 
anointed : remember the mercies of David 
thy servant. 

Now when Solomon had made an end 
of praying, the fire came down from the 
heaven, and consumed the burnt offering 
and the sacrifices; and the glory of the 
I >o)( 1 filled the house. And the priests 
could not enter into the house of the Lord, 



140 The Ritual. 

because the glory of the Lord had filled 
the Lord's house. And when all the chil- 
dren of Israel saw how the fire came 
down, and the glory of the Lord upon the 
house, they bowed themselves with their 
faces to the ground upon the pavement, 
and worshiped, and praised the Lord, say- 
ing, For he is good ; for his mercy endur- 
eth forever. Then the king and all the 
people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 

The Second Lesson. Hebrews x, 19-26. 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness 
to enter into the holiest by the blood of 
Jesus, by a new and living way, which 
he hath consecrated for us, through the 
veil, that is to say, his flesh ; and having 
a high priest over the house of God ; let 
us draw near with a true heart in full 
assurance of faith, having our hearts 
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our 
bodies washed with pure water. Let us 
hold fast the profession of our faith with- 
out wavering; for he is faithful that 
promised ; and let us consider one another 
to provoke unto love and to good works: 
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves 



The Ritual. 141 

together, as the manner of some is ; but 
exhorting one another : and so much the 
more, as ye see the day approaching. 

For if we willfully sin after that we 
have received the knowledge of the truth, 
there remaineth no more sacrifice for 
sins. 

Then shall one of the Hymns 856-871 be 
sung / after which the Minister shall 
deliver a Sermon, suitable to the 
occasion. 

Contributions shall then be received from 
the People. 

Then shall the Minister read the following 
Psalm, or the Minister and the Congre- 
gation may read it alternately ; the parts 
in italics to be read by the Congregation. 

Psalm cxxii. 

I was glad when they said unto me, 
Let us go into the house of the Lord. 

Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 
Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is 
compact together: 

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of 
the Lord, 



142 The Ritual. 

Unto the testimony of Israel, to give 
thanks unto the name of the Lord. 

For there are set thrones of judgment, 
the thrones of the house of David. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : 

They shall prosper that love thee. 

Peace be within thy walls. 

And prosperity within thy palaces. 

For my brethren and companions' sake, 
I will now say, Peace be within thee. 

Because of the house of the Lord our 
God I will seek thy good. 

Then let the Trustees stand up before the 
Altar, and one of them, or some one in 
their behalf, say unto the Minister: 
We present unto you this Building, to 

be dedicated as a Church for the service 

and worship of Almighty God. 

Then shall the Minister request the Congre- 
gation to stand, while he repeats the 
following 

DECLARATION: 

Dearly Beloved, it is meet and right, 

as we learn from the Holy Scriptures, 

that houses erected for the public worship 

of God should be specially set apart and 



The Ritual. 148 

dedicated to religious uses. For such a 
dedication we are now assembled. With 
gratitude, therefore, to Almighty God, 
who has signally blessed his servants in 
their holy enterprise of erecting this 
Church, we dedicate it to his service, for 
the reading of the Holy Scriptures, the 
preaching of the Word of God, the admin- 
istration of the Holy Sacraments, and for 
all other exercises of religious worship 
and service, according to the Discipline 
and Usages of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. And, as the dedication of the 
temple is vain without the solemn conse_ 
cration of the worshipers also, I now call 
upon you all to dedicate yourselves anew 
to the service of God. To him let our 
souls be dedicated, that they may be re- 
newed after the image of Christ. To him 
let our bodies be dedicated, that they may 
be fit temples for the indwelling of the 
Holy Ghost. To him may our labors and 
business be dedicated, that their fruit may 
tend to the glory of his great name, and 
to the advancement of his kingdom. And 
that he may graciously accept this solemn 
act, let us pray. 



144 The Ritual. 

The Congregation kneeling, the Minister 
shall offer the following Prayer: 

O Most Glorious Lord, we acknowledge 
that we are not worthy to offer unto 
thee anything belonging unto us; yet we 
beseech thee, in thy great goodness gra- 
ciously to accept the dedication of this 
place to thy service, and to prosper this 
our undertaking ; receive the prayers and 
intercessions of all those thy servants 
who shall call upon thee in this house ; 
and give them grace to prepare their 
hearts to serve thee with reverence and 
godly fear; affect them with an awful 
apprehension of thy divine majesty, and 
a deep sense of their own un worthiness; 
that so approaching thy sanctuary with 
lowliness and devotion, and coming before 
thee with clean thoughts and pure hearts, 
with bodies undefiled, and minds sancti- 
fied, they may always perform a service 
acceptable to thee, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Regard, O Lord, the supplication of 
thy servants, and grant that whosoever 
shall be dedicated to thee in this house 



The Bitual. 145 

by Baptism may ever remain in the num- 
ber of thy faithful children. Amen. 

Grant, Lord, that whosoever shall 
receive in this place the blessed Sacra- 
ment of the Body and Blood of Christ 
may come to that holy Ordinance with 
faith, charity, and true repentance; and, 
being filled with thy grace and heavenly 
benediction, may, to their great and end- 
less comfort, obtain forgiveness of their 
sins, and all other benefits of his death. 
Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, that by thy Holy Word 
which shall be read and preached in this 
place, and by thy Holy Spirit grafting it 
inwardly in the heart, the hearers thereof 
may both perceive and know what things 
they ought to do, and may have power 
and strength to perform the same. Amen. 

Now, therefore, arise, O Lord, and 
come into this place of thy rest, thou and 
the ark of thy strength. Let thine eye 
be open toward this house day and night; 
and let thine ears be ready toward the 
prayers of thy children which they shall 
make unto thee in this place: and when- 
10 



146 The Ritual. 

soever thy servants shall make to thee 
their petitions here, do thou hear them 
from heaven, thy dwelling-place, the 
throne of the glory of thy kingdom ; and 
when thou hearest, forgive. And grant, 
O Lord, we beseech thee, that here and 
elsewhere thy ministers may be clothed 
with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice 
in thy salvation. And may we all, with 
thy people everywhere, grow up into a 
holy temple in the Lord, and be at last 
received into the glorious temple above; 
the house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens. And to the Father, and 
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be glory 
and praise, world without end. Amen. 

The service to conclude with a Doxology 
and Benediction. 



Jau^g.lBOa. 



JAN 29 1902 



FEB. 10 1902 



